What is the definition or description of: cholecystitis?

GB inflammation: Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder causing epigastric and/or right upper quadrant abdominal pain occasionally radiating to the right flank and back. This is usually caused by gallstones, and ranges in severity from mild to life threatening.

Chronic vs. Acute: Chronic cholecystitis describes recurrent episodes of pain due to transient (1-2 hrs) obstruction of the outflow tract of the gallbladder called the cystic duct, usually due to stones; aka biliary colic. Rx involves elective surgery. If the obstruction persists for 24 + hrs, inflammation may set in, often requiring urgent surgery--we call this acute cholecystitis.