Overview
This syndrome is caused by the adhesion of the base of the gallbladder to the hepatic flexure of the large intestine, forming an acute angle and making it difficult for intestinal contents to pass through, resulting in pneumoperitoneum of the hepatic flexure of the large intestine. The gallbladder fills, concentrates, and empties normally, but when the large intestine exerts gravitational traction on the gallbladder, a series of clinical symptoms can result.
Questions you may be concerned about
What is gallbladder-colon hepatic flexure adhesion syndrome?
Gallbladder-colon hepatic flexure adhesion syndrome refers to the adhesion of the lower end of the gallbladder to the hepatic flexure of the colon, which causes further folding of the colon, pneumatization of the colon, difficulty in emptying, and traction of the gallbladder by the colon resulting in pain in the right upper abdomen, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal distension.
Gallbladder-colon hepatic flexure adhesion syndrome is a relatively rare disease because the lower end of the gallbladder and the colon hepatic flexure are anatomically adjacent to each other. When the gallbladder or the colon hepatic flexure develops certain pathologies, such as cholecystitis or colitis, the lower end of the gallbladder and the colon hepatic flexure may be adhered to each other, resulting in the colon hepatic flexure to fold further to form an acute angle and the gallbladder to be pulled by the colon hepatic flexure.
Therefore, patients with gallbladder-colon hepatic flexure adhesion syndrome will not only have signs and symptoms of colonic compression, such as accumulation of gas and food in the colon, abdominal pain and bloating, but also signs and symptoms of gallbladder pulling, such as nausea and vomiting, pain in the right upper abdomen, and loss of appetite.
Gallbladder-Colon Hepatic Flexure Adhesion Syndrome should be treated promptly by a physician who will evaluate the patient’s condition and treat the patient accordingly.
Causes
This syndrome is caused by adhesions between the bottom of the gallbladder and the hepatic flexure of the colon, forming an acute angle that makes passage of intestinal contents difficult and causes pneumatization of the hepatic flexure of the colon.
Symptoms
It usually occurs during the daytime, with clinical symptoms such as dull pain in the epigastrium or right upper abdomen, nausea, loss of appetite, and mild protective muscle tension after standing. Symptoms worsen after prolonged standing.
Examination
1. Barium colonography.
2. Cholangiography
If the gallbladder function is normal, gas shadows can be seen in the hepatic flexure of the large intestine connected with or adjacent to the bottom of the gallbladder; if barium colonography is performed at the same time, it can show the site of the lesion.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis can be made on the basis of clinical symptoms and cholecystography.
Differential diagnosis
This syndrome should be differentiated from chronic cholecystitis, hepatic flexure syndrome of the large intestine, and cholelithiasis.
Complications
This syndrome may be complicated by dyspepsia and intestinal obstruction.
Treatment
This syndrome is mainly treated with symptomatic therapy, if it is ineffective, cholecystectomy can be performed if the disease is caused by gallbladder, and only cholecystolysis can be performed if the gallbladder is normal.
Prevention
There is no special preventive measure for this disease, but attention should be paid to healthy diet and postoperative complications should be prevented when liver or colon surgery is performed.