title: Gangrenous cholecystitis in an asymptomatic patient found during an elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Gangrenous cholecystitis is a severe complication of acute cholecystitis. We present an unusual case of gangrenous cholecystitis which was totally asymptomatic, with normal pre-operative parameters, and was discovered incidentally during a laparoscopic cholecystectomy. We have not found any similar cases in the published literature.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 79-year-old British Caucasian man presented initially with acute cholecystitis which responded to conservative management. After six weeks he was asymptomatic and had normal blood parameters. An elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed and our patient was found to have a totally gangrenous gall bladder.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is important to keep a high index of suspicion for the diagnosis of gangrenous cholecystitis in order to avoid potentially serious complications.
authors: Department of Histopathology, Royal Victoria Infirmary/NHS, Newcastle Upon Tyne, NE1 4LP, UK. hussainrima@yahoo.co.uk.
authors: Sunil
authors: S
authors: Chaudhry
authors: Rima
authors: R
authors: Hussain
authors: Rajaganeshan
authors: R
authors: Rajasundaram
authors: David
authors: D
authors: Corless
references: Surg Endosc. 2005 Aug;19(8):1139-41
references: 16021370
references: Am J Surg. 2001 Jan;181(1):71-5
references: 11248180
references: Am J Surg. 2003 Nov;186(5):481-5
references: 14599611
references: Australas Radiol. 2002 Mar;46(1):73-5
references: 11966592
references: J Clin Gastroenterol. 2004 Sep;38(8):710-6
references: 15319657
references: AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2002 Feb;178(2):275-81
references: 11804880
references: Aust N Z J Surg. 2000 Jun;70(6):428-30
references: 10843398