title: Contrast-enhanced ultrasound detects gallbladder perforation in a patient with acute abdominal pain.
abstract: We present the case of a patient with abdominal pain, in which gallbladder perforation was detected by contrast-enhanced ultrasound. A 90-year-old patient presented to the emergency department with a complaint of acute abdominal pain and vomiting. An abdominal ultrasound revealed a thickened gallbladder wall and small amounts of perihepatic fluid. Because these findings were suspicious for gallbladder perforation and contrast-enhanced computed tomography could not be performed because of a history of monoclonal gammopathy, a contrast-enhanced ultrasound scan was performed. After the administration of 2.5 mL of SonoVue (Bracco, Milan, Italy), a defect of the gallbladder wall was detected. The patient underwent laparotomy, on which the diagnosis of gallbladder perforation was confirmed.
authors: Department of Internal Medicine, LKH Graz West, Graz, Austria. pm.zechner@gmail.com
authors: Peter Michael
authors: PM
authors: Zechner
authors: Susanne
authors: S
authors: Rienmüller
authors: Katrin
authors: K
authors: Dorr
authors: Christina
authors: C
authors: Genger
authors: Herbert
authors: H
authors: Wurzer
mesh_terms: D000006:Abdomen, Acute / Q000209:etiology*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003287:Contrast Media; D005705:Gallbladder Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010743:Phospholipids; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D010743:Phospholipids; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride