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8 Further Indications
8.3.4 Cholelithiasis and Cholecystitis
Description
■ Cholelithiasis: gall stones; 50 % of cases are asymptomatic (incidental sonographic
findings); otherwise recurrent, often diffuse epigastric pain (especially following the in-
take of fatty foods, alcohol, and coffee) or biliary colic
■ Cholecystitis: inflammation of the gallbladder; in over 90 % of cases caused by gall-
stones
Point Prescription
French points
■ Local points:
Gallbladder
, also
Liver
(
›
6.4.1)
■ Analgesic points:
Analgesia 1 and 2
(
›
6.7.5)
■ Defense against infection:
Thymus
(
›
6.6.1),
Interferon
(
›
6.7.3),
Infection Axis
(
›
6.12.4)
■ Relaxing points:
Diazepam
(
›
6.7.3),
Haldol
(
›
6.8.6)
Chinese points
■ Analgesic points:
Sun (35)
,
Thalamus (26a)
,
Occiput (29)
(
›
6.7.4),
Shen Men
(55)
(
›
6.7.2)
• Curative treatment with auricular acupuncture is possible only in cases of biliary
sludge.
• In cases of gallstones auricular acupuncture can trigger colic. Endoscopic surgery is
therefore the treatment of choice.
• Acute cholecystitis requires the immediate referral to hospital!
Treatment Intervals
■
Asymptomatic cholecystolithiasis:
no treatment required; auricular acupuncture may
trigger colic
■
Biliary sludge:
once weekly until there is a complete recovery (sonographic check-ups)
■
Acute pain:
once daily until there is a sustained reduction in pain, possibly until a
stone has been passed or there has been surgery
Treatment Course and Prognosis
■
Cholecystitis:
approximately 2–3 weeks until symptoms have disappeared
■
Biliary sludge:
treatments required for up to 3 months
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