Medical Case Reports

Sonographic Non-Visualization of the Gallbladder: A Pitfall in Diagnosis of Emphysematous Cholecystitis

Emphysematous cholecystitis is an uncommon complication of calculous cholecystitis due to secondary infection of gallbladder wall with gas-forming enteric organisms. It carries high morbidity and mortality to the patients and a rapid and early diagnosis is essential in patient’s clinical outcomes. Ultrasonography is usually the first and foremost test performed in cases of suspected biliary diseases. Herein, we describe a diagnostic pitfall of ultrasound in a patient with emphysematous cholecystitis – non-visualization of gallbladder, caused by reverberations from air in the gallbladder wall.

Author(s):

Zaw Min

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