Where is the pain located for cholecystitis?

Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
Updated on May 26, 2025
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The pain from cholecystitis typically presents as noticeable abdominal pain. Generally, a clear projection point in the abdomen is in the upper right quadrant, below the edge of the rib cage, which corresponds to the projection point of the gallbladder. This is a typical site of pain during a cholecystitis attack. Additionally, some people may experience pain and discomfort in the right back, which characterizes radiating pain. During an attack of cholecystitis, this radiating pain can extend to the right back area. A very small number of people might experience chest tightness, nausea, and even vomiting, all of which are accompanying symptoms of cholecystitis.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
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What are the symptoms when there are problems with the gallbladder?

Gallbladder issues, specifically symptoms of cholecystitis, mainly include chills, fever, persistent dull pain in the upper right quadrant of the abdomen, episodic colic pain that radiates to the right shoulder and back, and may also be accompanied by jaundice, dark urine, nausea, vomiting, and constipation. Patients with cholecystitis often experience sudden pain at night, typically due to overeating or consuming greasy foods. Once cholecystitis occurs, it is advised to seek medical attention at a regular hospital as soon as possible, complete the relevant diagnostic tests, such as imaging studies of the abdomen, consider surgical treatment, and engage in active anti-infection treatment.

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Which department should I go to for cholecystitis?

Firstly, it is necessary to determine the cause of the cholecystitis. The most common type of cholecystitis is caused by gallstones. If the cholecystitis is an acute episode caused by gallstones, leading to pain, nausea, vomiting, or even high fever, surgical intervention is usually indicated. It is generally recommended to consult with departments such as general surgery or hepatobiliary surgery, as emergency surgery may be needed. The second scenario involves cases where cholecystitis is detected during routine physical examinations without symptoms. Ultrasound may show gallstones or gallbladder polyps. In symptom-free situations, it is possible to consult general departments like gastroenterology, and regular follow-ups and checks of inflammation indicators, as well as abdominal ultrasonography, can be performed to monitor the dynamic changes of the cholecystitis. The third scenario pertains to cholecystitis where new techniques such as MRCP are available. With this technology, gallstones can be removed under endoscopic guidance. Generally, these procedures are performed in the gastroenterology department. Thus, for acute cholecystitis with choledocholithiasis and concurrent biliary pancreatitis, it may be treated with endoscopic techniques under gastroenterology, avoiding the need for traditional or minimally invasive surgery. Therefore, patients with cholecystitis may visit either the hepatobiliary surgery or gastroenterology departments.

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Written by Xie Zheng Yuan
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Symptoms of acute cholecystitis

Acute cholecystitis is a relatively common digestive system disease in clinical practice, often triggered by the presence of gallstones, leading to acute inflammation of the gallbladder. When an acute cholecystitis attack occurs, it typically presents as pain in the upper right abdomen, accompanied by fever, and sometimes nausea and vomiting, similar to symptoms of gastric discomfort. Additionally, if a gallstone falls and lodges in the cystic duct, or even in the common bile duct, it can cause jaundice, as indicated by the yellowing of the skin and sclera. During a physical examination, it might be possible to detect tenderness in the upper right abdomen, or even rebound tenderness. Another possible positive sign could be Murphy's sign, which are all common manifestations of acute cholecystitis.

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Written by Zhang Tao
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Does acute cholecystitis require hospitalization?

Patients with acute cholecystitis often have a history of gallstones or gallbladder polyps. An acute attack of cholecystitis can be triggered by inattention to diet or other reasons, such as unclean food. If the patient's abdominal pain is not severe, they can be advised to rest in bed and take oral anti-inflammatory and bile-promoting medications. If the patient experiences significant upper abdominal pain, accompanied by fever and other discomforts, and the abdominal pain persists and radiates to the back, it is recommended that the patient be hospitalized. During the hospital stay, it is essential to ensure the patient eats and receives clinical infusions, as well as complete relevant examinations.

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Location of pain in female cholecystitis

The main symptoms of cholecystitis include upper abdominal pain. Mild cases generally are limited to the upper abdomen, while severe cases may affect the entire body, and 70% of patients with cholecystitis do not show any symptoms. The early symptoms of cholecystitis can suddenly manifest as severe colicky pain in the upper right abdomen, which can also radiate to the right shoulder and back. These symptoms are generally triggered by consuming a large amount of fatty foods and are more likely to occur at night. If the condition progresses, the pain becomes persistent and progressively worsens, and may also be accompanied by mild to moderate fever. Some patients may experience chills and high fever, indicating that the condition is very severe.