Acute cholecystitis is acute inflammation of the gall-bladder wall, initiated most often by cystic-duct obstruction with secondary bacterial infection. The clinical picture evolves over hours, and recognition of its characteristic features guides early imaging, antibiotic therapy, and timely surgical intervention. Right-upper-quadrain painPersistent, often severe pain begins beneath the costal margin, may radiate to the right scapula or inter-scapular region, and is exacerbated by deep inspiration or movement. Pain typically lasts > 6 h and is unrelenting. Murphy signInspiratory arrest elicited by palpation of the right upper quadrant during deep inspiration is a reliable physical finding; a positive Murphy sign has... Learn more