Background In this study, we aimed to investigate risk factors for the relapse of moderate and severe acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) patients after initial percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) and to identify the predictors of patient outcomes when choosing PC as a definitive treatment for AAC. Materials and methods The study population comprised 44 patients (median age 76 years; range 31–94 years) with moderate or severe AAC who underwent PC without subsequent cholecystectomy. According to the results of follow-up (followed for a median period of 17 months), the data of patients with recurrence versus no recurrence were compared. Patients were divided into the death and non-death groups based on patient status within 60 days after PC. Results Twenty-one (47.7%) had no recurrence of cholecystitis during the follow-up period after catheter removal (61–1348 days), six (13.6%) experienced recurrence of cholecystitis after PC, and 17 (38.6%) patients died during the indwelling tube period (5–60 days). The multivariate analysis showed that coronary heart disease (CHD) or congestive heart failure (odds ratio [OR] 26.50; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21–582.06; P = 0.038) was positively correlated with recurrence. The age-adjusted Charlson comorbidity index (OR 1.53; 95% CI 1.08–2.17; P = 0.018) was independently associated with 60-day mortality after PC. Conclusions Our results suggest that CHD or congestive heart failure was an independent risk factor for relapse in moderate and severe AAC patients after initial PC. AAC patients with more comorbidities had worse outcomes.

Purposes In this study, we aimed to identify the distribution of presenting laboratory and nonenhanced computed tomography (CT) imaging features within 48 h before percutaneous cholecystostomy (PC) and create a model to appropriately guide the diagnosis of acute suppurative cholecystitis (ASC). Methods The study population included 204 acute cholecystitis patients who underwent PC. Based on the timing of the last laboratory and CT examinations before PC, the patients were divided into two groups: within 48 h before PC (Group 1, n = 138) and over 48 h before PC (Group 2, n = 63). The clinical features of the ASC patients in the two groups were compared. A multivariable model for the diagnosis of ASC in the patients in Group 1 was developed. Results Thirty-nine patients in Group 1 had ASC (28.3%). Gallbladder stones, common bile duct stones, gallbladder wall thickness > 2.85 mm, and neutrophil granulocytes > 82.55% were confirmed to be independent risk factors for ASC. The receiver operating characteristic curve of the recurrence prediction model verified its accuracy (area under the curve: 0.803). Compared with the ASC patients in Group 2, the ASC patients in Group 1 had a higher proportion of pericholecystic exudation or fluid (P = 0.013) and thicker gallbladder walls (P = 0.033). Conclusions Using nonenhanced CT imaging features and cutoffs for neutrophil granulocytes, we were able to identify a simple algorithm to discriminate ASC. The degree of local inflammation of the gallbladder in ASC patients progressively increases over time, and these changes can be observed on nonenhanced CT images. However, the symptoms of abdominal pain are of little help in estimating the disease duration in elderly patients.