Abstract
Objective: To perform a literature review about the diagnosis and treatment of acute cholecystitis. Bibliographic review: The main symptom of acute cholecystitis is abdominal pain in the right hypochondrium or epigastrium (72-93%). Ultrasonography must be the first exam to be requested by any doctor suspecting acute cholecystitis. Further exams, such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, intraoperative cholangiography, or endoscopic ultrasound, may be necessary when the patient has a moderate or high risk of choledocholithiasis. The treatment of acute cholecystitis is surgical, and it should be done as soon as possible, after the initial measures have been taken. The laparoscopic method is the best option. Final considerations: An early diagnosis of acute cholecystitis is important, since it reduces surgical complexity and avoids complications. Due to the significant incidence, doctors must know clinical presentation of acute cholecystitis and its investigation methods such as laboratorial and image.