title: Acalculous cholecystitis in Crohn's disease.
abstract: A 15-year-old boy with Crohn's ileocolitis developed marked gallbladder enlargement. Ultrasonographic findings were consistent with acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) or hydrops. At laparotomy a gangrenous gallbladder was found. The diagnostic modalities currently used to distinguish between hydrops, a benign condition generally treated expectantly, and AAC, a potentially life-threatening condition requiring surgical treatment are reviewed. Failure to distinguish between these two conditions with acalculous gallbladder enlargement and similar clinical and radiologic features may have serious consequences.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Hartford Hospital, CT 06115-0729.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Hyams
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: A N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: McGowan
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000293:Adolescent; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D004487:Edema / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D014463:Ultrasonography