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Question
Hello doctor,
I have pain in the right lower quadrant since childhood, have been examined many times but the doctor said it is okay. Currently, I am working abroad in the Middle East. I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with a type IVA biliary tract cyst. The doctor gave me painkillers and talked about monitoring. I'm really worried, what's wrong with me? My symptoms are pain in the right lower quadrant and a feeling of pain spreading to the shoulder. Normally, I don't have frequent pain, but only pressing on my stomach and patting my side will cause pain. The doctor asked me if the pain in the right lower quadrant spread to the shoulder is a type IVA biliary cyst? Thank you doctor.
Nguyen Dinh Chung (1985)
Answer
Answered by Doctor Dong Xuan Ha - Gastroenterologist, Department of Medical Examination & Internal Medicine - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital.
Hello,
With the question “Is pain in the right lower quadrant spreading to the shoulder is it a type IVA biliary cyst? The doctor would like to answer as follows:
Biliary cyst is a congenital malformation of the biliary tract, usually diagnosed before the age of 10 years, is a common disease in Asian countries including Vietnam. The disease is divided into 5 types based on the size and location of the cyst. Type IVA is also known as mixed type because of the different shapes in both intrahepatic and extrahepatic biliary tracts. If left untreated, the disease can cause long-term cholestasis leading to cirrhosis, portal hypertension, and even liver cancer.
Symptoms of the disease often manifest as yellowing of the skin, eyes, dark urine, pain in the liver, right flank, sometimes with cramping and often repeated pain. Jaundice and abdominal pain are the two most common symptoms of the disease. In addition, there may be fever when accompanied by cholangitis, later there may be symptoms of cirrhosis, portal hypertension.
The diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms, ultrasound or hepatobiliary resonance imaging. If you have been diagnosed with a biliary tree cyst, pain in the right upper quadrant is not a common symptom.
Treatment is usually surgery, but this is only a solution, not a cure. Your doctor can give you temporary medication to relieve cholestasis, but this is not a long-term and comprehensive solution. You should visit a specialized medical facility for early examination and treatment.
If you still have questions about the right lower quadrant pain spreading to the shoulder, is it a type IVA biliary cyst, you can go to the hospital of Vinmec Health System for further examination and advice. Thank you for trusting and sending questions to Vinmec. Wishing you lots of health.
Best regards!
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