Sutures and Wound Repair/ General Surgery (ABSA) Practice Test

Acute cholecystitis is most commonly associated with which condition?

1. Bacterial infection

2. Gall stone

3. Chronic pancreatitis

4. Duodenal ulcer

The correct answer is: Gall stone

Acute cholecystitis is primarily caused by the obstruction of the cystic duct, which is most frequently due to the presence of gallstones. When a gallstone obstructs the cystic duct, bile accumulates in the gallbladder, leading to inflammation and infection. This process is what characterizes acute cholecystitis. While bacterial infections can indeed occur in the context of acute cholecystitis, they are typically a result of the condition rather than the initial cause. The obstruction by gallstones is the fundamental issue that precipitates the acute inflammation. Therefore, identifying gallstones as the most common associated condition is key to understanding the etiology of acute cholecystitis. Chronic pancreatitis and duodenal ulcers are not directly related to the pathophysiology of acute cholecystitis. They involve different organ systems and are caused by different underlying issues. Thus, the most accurate association with acute cholecystitis is indeed the presence of gallstones.