Abstract
Background
Acute abdominal pain is commonly encountered in the emergency department (ED), but
a diagnosis of gall bladder perforation (GBP) is rarely considered in the absence
of predisposing factors.
Objectives
This article will highlight the risk factors, diagnosis, and management of GBP, a
rare but potentially life-threatening biliary pathology.
Case Report
A 73-year-old diabetic man presented to the ED with a 12-h history of severe upper
abdominal pain. He was hemodynamically stable, but abdominal examination showed distention,
guarding, and diffuse tenderness. Abdominal X-ray study showed mildly distended small
bowel loops without any air-fluid levels. Abdominal sonography revealed mild ascites
and pericholecystic fluid collection but no gall bladder calculi. Laboratory reports
documented a white blood cell count of 13,700/mm3 and elevated serum amylase of 484 IU/L. A contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen suggested discontinuity
of the gall bladder wall along with fluid accumulation in the pericholecystic, perihepatic,
right subphrenic, and right paracolic spaces. In view of the possibility of spontaneous
GBP developing as a complication of acute acalculous cholecystitis, laparotomy was
planned. At surgery, several liters of bile-stained peritoneal fluid were aspirated
and inspection of the gall bladder revealed a perforation at the fundus. After cholecystectomy,
the patient had an uneventful recovery.
Conclusion
The diagnosis of spontaneous gall bladder perforation should be considered in elderly
patients presenting to the ED with symptoms and signs of peritonitis even in the absence
of pre-existing gall bladder disease. Abdominal CT scan is an invaluable tool for
the diagnosis, and early surgical intervention is usually life-saving.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 28, 2010
Accepted:
April 7,
2010
Received in revised form:
January 6,
2010
Received:
August 14,
2009
Identification
Copyright
© 2012 Elsevier Inc. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
