Acute cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder, most commonly caused by cystic duct obstruction from cholelithiasis (95% of cases). Ultrasound is the first-line diagnostic modality with a sensitivity of 88–94% and specificity of 78–80%. Key sonographic findings include gallstones with acoustic shadowing, gallbladder wall thickening (>3mm), pericholecystic fluid, and sonographic Murphy’s sign.
ICD-10 Code: K81.0 | MeSH ID: D002764 | Primary Anatomy: Gallbladder
Key Reference: PubMed: PMID: 7979854