gallstone pancreatitis

The department did not specify which type the attorney general had, but gallstone pancreatitis is usually considered the less serious variety, medical experts said.

The gallstones can cause more serious conditions like fibrinolys disorder or gallstone pancreatitis.

For gallstone pancreatitis, the parameters are:

Jaundice and/or clay-colored stool may raise suspicion of choledocholithiasis or even gallstone pancreatitis.

Carmen Trutanich has been diagnosed with gallstone pancreatitis and said Monday he will probably have an operation to remove his gallbladder.

Attorney General John Ashcroft returned to work at the Justice Department, four weeks after he was hospitalized with a severe case of gallstone pancreatitis.

Can progress to choledocholithiasis (gallstones in the bile duct) and gallstone pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)

By nightfall, Ashcroft was taken to George Washington University Medical Center in severe pain, suffering acute gallstone pancreatitis.

The Justice Department canceled Attorney General John Ashcroft's public appearances for the week as he remained in intensive care with a severe case of gallstone pancreatitis, officials said.

Mr. Ashcroft arrived at the emergency room early Thursday evening, Mr. Corallo said, and after a full medical examination, doctors diagnosed the severe case of gallstone pancreatitis.

The Justice Department said his condition was diagnosed as "a severe case" of gallstone pancreatitis, which is an inflammation or infection of the pancreas that is often characterized by severe abdominal pain.

It occurs when the pancreas suddenly becomes inflamed and the two most common causes for it are drinking too much alcohol (alcohol induced pancreatitis) or gallstones within the bile tubes (gallstone pancreatitis).

Mr. Ashcroft, 61, was taken to the emergency room last Thursday evening after what he thought was a bout of stomach flu turned out to be a severe case of gallstone pancreatitis, a potentially serious inflammation of the pancreas.

Republican officials cite both Mr. Ashcroft's health - aides said a severe case of gallstone pancreatitis took a heavier toll on him than many people realized - and his sometimes fractured relations with the White House as driving forces in the decision.

Later that day, Ashcroft was struck with severe gallstone pancreatitis and was admitted to the George Washington University Hospital in Washington, D.C. Because of Ashcroft's disability, Comey took over as Acting Attorney General.