Alcoholic with severe knee pain. Gall bladder distended, UTI. Referred to gastro enterologist. Why?
Patient: My mother-in-law has been weak, sitting in her recliner 24/7 (due to knee pain ) and not even going to the bathroom. She has been using the bedsite portable potty for about a month. She has a history of alcoholism . We just got results of blood work--no sign of hepatitis . Abdominal scan showed gallbladder was distended. She also has a silent UTI. Still has dark urine. Today we were told we were being referred to a gastroenterologist . What are they looking for? Doctor: Hi thanks for your question. Alcoholic,,Knee pain, silient UTI and finally distended gall bladder. The treating physician has to fix a priority,which condition is more serious and needs urgent attentation of a specialist.So I think you should have asked this question from treating physicion who may be able to explain you better.In my openion reason for referal to the gasteroenenterologist could be a very much distened gallbladder,which may rupture leading to biliary peritonitis with high motality.The cause of distension of gallbladder must be the one which could be managed by non surgical means . Hope this answers your question.