What pathology may cholecystitis lead to if left untreated?

Cholecystitis, which is the inflammation of the gallbladder typically due to gallstones, can progress to several serious complications if not treated promptly. One of the most severe potential complications is gallbladder perforation. If the inflammation continues, it can lead to a weakening of the gallbladder wall, resulting in a rupture. This perforation can cause bile to leak into the abdominal cavity, leading to a serious condition known as peritonitis, which is an infection of the abdominal lining that can be life-threatening and requires immediate surgical intervention.

In contrast, although pancreatitis can occur in some cases due to gallstones obstructing the common bile duct, it is not a direct consequence of untreated cholecystitis beyond the immediate gallbladder issues. Liver cancer and kidney stones are unrelated to the progression of cholecystitis. Therefore, gallbladder perforation is recognized as a direct and critical outcome of untreated cholecystitis.