Chronic cholecystitis physical examination

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] ; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Furqan M M. M.B.B.S[2], Aditya Govindavarjhulla, M.B.B.S. [3]

Patients with chronic cholecystitis may have malaise during the episode. The physical examination in chronic cholecystitis is remarkable for tender right upper quadrant, fever (usually low grade in uncomplicated cases) and a positive Murphy’s sign.

Patients with chronic cholecystitis may have malaise during the episode. The physical examination in patients with chronic cholecystitis may yield the following findings:^[1][2][3]

• Patient may have malaise

• Fever
• Tachycardia

• Dry skin in cases of hypovolemia (burns)
• Yellowish discoloration of skin in severe jaundice

• Jaundice may be noticed

• Right upper quadrant abdominal tenderness
• Murphy’s sign can be elicited
• Gallbladder may be palpable
  • Gallbladder may not be palpable due to fibrosis and shrinking of the gallbladder
• Fullness of right upper quadrant

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