Which statement about chronic cholecystitis is true?

Which statement about chronic cholecystitis is true?

• A. It is typically associated with a normal WBC count
• B. It requires gallstones
• C. It never thickens the gallbladder wall
• D. It always presents with fever

Answer: (A)

Chronic cholecystitis is a long-standing inflammation of the gallbladder, often related to ongoing irritation from gallstones but not limited to them. A key point is that the white blood cell count is typically normal, because this is not an acute infection-driven process. In contrast, acute cholecystitis frequently shows leukocytosis and fever due to a more intense inflammatory response. The other statements don’t fit as well: gallstones are common but not strictly required—acalculous cholecystitis can occur without stones; chronic inflammation can lead to thickening of the gallbladder wall, so “never thickens” isn’t true; and fever is not a defining feature and may be absent in chronic cases.

Chronic cholecystitis is a long-standing inflammation of the gallbladder, often related to ongoing irritation from gallstones but not limited to them. A key point is that the white blood cell count is typically normal, because this is not an acute infection-driven process. In contrast, acute cholecystitis frequently shows leukocytosis and fever due to a more intense inflammatory response.

The other statements don’t fit as well: gallstones are common but not strictly required—acalculous cholecystitis can occur without stones; chronic inflammation can lead to thickening of the gallbladder wall, so “never thickens” isn’t true; and fever is not a defining feature and may be absent in chronic cases.