What is the difference between the symptoms of cholecystitis and the symptoms of cirrhosis?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on April 04, 2025
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The symptoms of cholecystitis differ significantly from those of cirrhosis. The symptoms of cholecystitis mainly manifest as pain in the upper right abdomen, along with chills and fever, while the symptoms of cirrhosis primarily include fatigue, poor appetite, and may also present with jaundice, abdominal distension, and swelling of the lower limbs. To determine whether a patient has cholecystitis or cirrhosis, it is recommended to visit the gastroenterology department of a standard hospital as soon as possible for a comprehensive examination. This should include abdominal imaging, liver function tests, complete blood count, among others, to further clarify the diagnosis and adopt corresponding treatment measures.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Is early-stage cirrhosis easy to detect?

Early-stage liver cirrhosis can be detected through abdominal ultrasound examinations or blood tests, such as liver function tests, liver fibrosis quartet tests, or transient elastography of the liver. Once early-stage liver cirrhosis is diagnosed, further diagnostic tests are necessary to promptly determine the underlying causes of liver cirrhosis, allowing for causal and symptomatic treatment to begin as soon as possible. After the onset of liver cirrhosis, it is crucial to regularly complete abdominal ultrasound examinations and gastroscopy to check for the presence of complications such as ascites or bleeding from esophagogastric varices, among others.

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Written by Shen Jiang Chao
Radiology
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Can cirrhosis be detected by a CT scan?

Cirrhosis can be detected by a CT scan. Early-stage cirrhosis has no specific diagnostic value on CT, but middle to late-stage cirrhosis typically manifests as wavy changes in the liver capsule, enlarged liver lobes, and disproportionate size of liver lobes, with most changes involving an enlargement of the left lobe and caudate lobe and a relative shrinkage of the right lobe. Additionally, secondary manifestations of cirrhosis, such as portal hypertension, can cause enlargement of the spleen and varices in the lower esophagus and stomach fundus. When cirrhosis is detected, it is advisable to perform an enhanced CT scan to determine the potential for malignant transformation in liver regenerative nodules.

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Written by Yang Chun Guang
Gastroenterology
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Is it okay not to remove the spleen for cirrhosis with splenomegaly?

Once cirrhosis patients are found to have splenic hyperfunction, in order to reduce the splenic hyperfunction and its phagocytic destruction of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, the spleen must be dealt with. Traditionally, the treatment plan could involve surgically removing the spleen, also known as splenectomy. However, current treatment plans generally involve interventional methods. After multiple interventional embolizations, the spleen undergoes aseptic necrosis and is absorbed, thus improving the condition of splenic hyperfunction. Therefore, now in cases of cirrhosis with splenic hyperfunction, it is possible to treat without removing the spleen, using interventional methods instead.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Is it serious if someone with cirrhosis doesn't have bowel movements?

Cirrhosis without bowel movements does not necessarily mean that the condition is very severe. Patients with cirrhosis who have no bowel movements might be experiencing poor digestion, leading to slow intestinal movements and subsequently constipation. However, constipation can potentially trigger hepatic encephalopathy, thus it requires proactive treatment. Oral lactulose can be used for bowel movement, or an enema with white vinegar to acidify the intestines can also be administered. Patients with cirrhosis who develop hepatic encephalopathy, upper gastrointestinal bleeding, or primary peritonitis are experiencing severe conditions and need to actively undergo corresponding treatment measures. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Yang Chun Guang
Gastroenterology
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Is liver cirrhosis with ascites contagious?

Liver cirrhosis in the decompensated stage with ascites present is not inherently contagious. Whether the condition is infectious depends not on the severity of liver function, the degree of liver cirrhosis, or the gravity of ascites, but rather on the underlying cause of the liver cirrhosis. For example, liver cirrhosis caused by alcohol consumption is not contagious. However, if the liver cirrhosis is due to viral hepatitis, such as commonly seen with hepatitis B or C, the condition can be infectious. Therefore, the presence of ascites or liver cirrhosis itself is not an indicator of infectiousness; the crucial factor is whether there is an infectious virus present.