Chronic Abdominal Pain? Get Diagnosis for Porcelain Gallbladder

1. Chronic Abdominal Pain? Get Diagnosis for Porcelain Gallbladder Porcelain gallbladder is significantly related to chronic gallbladder inflammation. It is a gallbladder that has become calcified. Extensive calcium encrustation of the gallbladder wall is called porcelain gallbladder. The term is also known as cholecystopathia chronica calcarea, the chronic condition of calcium in the gallbladder as well as calcifying cholecystitis, inflammation of the gallbladder resulting in calcification. It is gallbladder disease in which all the layers including mucosa, submucosa and glandular spaces are covered by accumulated plagues or calcium flaxes. It appears as blue discoloration and brittle consistency of the gallbladder wall at the surgery. People with a porcelain gallbladder are often asymptomatic and the condition is often found incidentally on multiple different imaging modalities. Although porcelain gallbladder is rare, it shouldn’t be taken lightly as it is considered a precancerous lesion. Gallbladder calcification increases the risk of gallbladder cancer, but the magnitude of risk is considerably small. This condition also prevents the organ from performing its function over time. Based on the extent of calcification, porcelain gallbladder is classified into two types:

2. ●Complete Intramural Calcification - Here, the muscular layer of the gallbladder wall is infiltrated and replaced by a continuous band of calcium. ●Selective Mucosal Calcification - In this type, calcification of the gallbladder wall is not much extensive or metameric with calcium flecks in the mucosa of the gallbladder wall. Causes of Porcelain Gallbladder Here are some of the causes of porcelain gallbladder as observed by the top family practice doctors. Gallbladder Inflammation - There are a few ways inflammation can occur within the biliary tract, which blocks bile ducts and blood vessels. Due to the blockade of these circulation channels, the bile stagnates, the pressure inside the gallbladder increases and calcium carbonate salts crystallize to form gallstones. It also leads to form calcium deposits within the gallbladder walls that causes porcelain gallbladder. Gallstones - One of the common causes of porcelain gallbladder is gallstone that is formed of stony concretions of bilirubin, cholesterol or other particles inside the gallbladder. Gallstones may disrupt bile duct by blocking it. If the gallbladder doesn’t perform its function for prolonged periods, it may lead to eventual calcification. Giardia - It is a microscopic parasite that infects the digestive system and causes the diarrheal illness known as giardiasis. It is often found in contaminated food, water, and soil that takes hold in the intestines. The infection can also spread to the biliary and pancreatic ducts in rare cases. Though it is a rare speculative cause of porcelain gallbladder, it may cause inflammation of the gallbladder. Calcium Metabolism Disorder - The abnormal level of calcium present in the body and the ability to process the calcium to the need areas may lead to the development of porcelain gallbladder. Vitamin D3 and K2 work together to monitor calcium supply and distribute the right amount of calcium to the body. Their deficiency can lead to the formation of the calcified gallbladder.

3. Signs & Symptoms of Porcelain Gallbladder There are no clear indicators of gallbladder calcification disease. It may be diagnosed through incidental imaging by the family medicine doctors. However, a few common symptoms reported by people with this type of gallbladder disease include: ●Abdominal Pain ●Stress and Depressed Mood ●Vomiting ●Fatigue ●Weight Loss ●Jaundice ●Anxiousness How to Diagnose Gallbladder Calcification?

4. Porcelain gallbladder usually appears like a pear or oval-shaped assembly of calcium plaques in the right mid-abdomen or upper quadrant. Since it can be irregularly shaped or discontinuous, proper and accurate imaging is required. Being asymptomatic, porcelain gallbladder is generally found incidentally on ultrasound, plain abdominal radiographs, and CT scan images. Family care doctors recommend these tests to visually examine and confirm the presence of this gallbladder disease. ●Ultrasonography - In this process, gallbladder shows echoes and posterior dense shadowing with poor delineation of the gallbladder wall. ●CT Scan and Plain Radiograph - Identifying this gallbladder disease on both CT and radiography are pathognomonic, which shows a thin layer of mineralization outlining the gallbladder wall. How to Treat Porcelain Gallbladder? Based on the scientific studies and vast experience of family physicians, there are two most commonly recommended treatments when gallbladder calcification is identified. Cholecystectomy - It is usually performed for porcelain gallbladder or any other chronic gallbladder disease. It is used to surgically remove the damaged organ. However, it doesn’t come with any guarantee to the patient from cancer worries. For those who tested negative for cancer, partial cholecystectomy is recommended if the calcification is focalized. A hepatectomy may be performed in addition to this for patients with gallbladder cancer. Vitamin D3 & K3 Therapy - Supplementation of vitamin D3 and K2 are considered to redirect calcium to the right places and prevent gallbladder calcification. If the cancer is detected, one should consult with the family medicine doctor about taking this therapy.

5. If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of porcelain gallbladder and looking for the best clinic and family practice in Brooklyn, New York visit Artisans of Medicine to get the right treatment today! Source: https://medium.com/@artisansofmedicine20/chronic-abdominal-pain-get-diagnosis-for-porcelain- gallbladder-bf3f55d43b0