title: Ultrasound-guided puncture of the gallbladder for acute cholecystitis.
abstract: We performed a US-guided aspiration of the gallbladder in 27 patients with an acute cholecystitis and severe concurrent disease, not responding to IV antibiotics and supportive therapy. Twenty six of the 27 patients improved after the procedure. One patient died 7 days after the procedure due to multi organ failure; in the others immediate surgery could be avoided. Three patients experienced local pain after the procedure; no other puncture related complications were encountered. Long-term results (mean follow up 18 months; range 2-36 months) were excellent in 20/26 survivors with no biliary complications or need for elective cholecystectomy. Six of the 26 patients needed subsequent cholecystectomy for relapse or incomplete cure.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, H. Hartziekenhuis, Roeselare.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Verbanck
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ghillebert
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rutgeerts
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Baert
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Goethals
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schepkens
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Geldhof
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Surmont
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011677:Punctures / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D013396:Suction / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography