Early Sonographic Diagnosis of Emphysematous Cholecystitis Successfully Treated With Antibiotics

Abstract

Emphysematous cholecystitis (EC) is an uncommon form of acute cholecystitis, caused by secondary infection of the gallbladder wall with gas-forming organisms. The mortality rate of EC is as high as 25% due to complications such as gangrene, gallbladder perforation, pericholecystic abscess, and bile peritonitis. 1,2 Traditionally, prompt emergency surgical intervention with open cholecystectomy is recommended for EC treatment. This case study presents a case of EC that was diagnosed at an early stage with sonography and computed tomography (CT), which was successfully treated with antibiotics treatment and not surgery.