In this article, we will discuss the Clinical Features of Biliary Colic. So, let’s get started.
Clinical Features
- Acute abdominal pain, colicky in nature, intermittent or continuous, is felt in the epigastrium or right upper quadrant of abdomen. It may radiate to interscapular region, right scapula or shoulder. There is no guarding or rigidity of abdomen. Hepatomegaly and tenderness in right hypochondrium may be present in calculous biliary obstruction.
- Pyrexia and chills: Moderate pyrexia is not uncommon. The Charcot’s triad (fever with chills and rigors, jaundice and right quadrantic pain) indicates obstructive cholangitis, is found in 70% of cases. The addition of altered mental status and hypotension (Reynold’s pentad) indicates acute suppurative cholangitis.
- Jaundice: There may be intermittent jaundice, i.e. during an attack of pain, slight jaundice may appear and when present, it is helpful in diagnosis of biliary obstruction. In some cases, frank jaundice (obstructive) develops
- Vomiting nearly always accompany pain at times may be severe.