At least 95 percent of the people with acute gallbladder inflammation have gallstones. Rarely, a bacterial infection causes inflammation. Acute gallbladder inflammation without gallstones is a serious disease. The person usually has no previous signs of gallbladder disease before experiencing sudden, excruciating pain in the upper abdomen. Usually, the disease is very severe and can lead to gangrene or perforation of the gallbladder.
Immediate surgery is necessary to remove the diseased gallbladder.
Symptoms Pain, usually in the right upper part of the abdomen, is the first sign of gallbladder inflammation. The pain may worsen when the person breathes deeply and often extends to the lower part of the right shoulder blade. The person typically feels a sharp pain when a doctor presses the upper right part of the abdomen. Within a few hours, the abdominal muscles on the right side may become rigid. At first, the person may have only a slight fever.