Acalculous Cholecystitis

Acalculous cholecystitis is an inflammation of the gallbladder without the presence of gallstones. It is often seen in critically ill patients, particularly those with underlying conditions such as sepsis, trauma, or prolonged fasting. Key clinical points include: 1) It can occur in the absence of gallstones, making diagnosis challenging. 2) Risk factors include major surgery, trauma, and critical illness. 3) Symptoms may include abdominal pain, fever, and nausea. Typical use cases for the ICD-10 code K82.A include hospital admissions for acute abdominal pain where acalculous cholecystitis is suspected or confirmed. The etiology often involves ischemia or infection, leading to gallbladder wall edema and necrosis. Clinically, patients may present with right upper quadrant pain, tenderness, and signs of systemic infection. Diagnosis is typically confirmed through imaging studies such as ultrasound or CT scans, which may reveal gallbladder distension and wall thickening.