Gallbladder stone as a possible cause of acute and recurrent abdominal pain in Nigerian adolescent sicklers: a report of two cases

Abstract

Nigeria has the highest population of people with sickle cell disease globally. As these patients live longer chronic complications are bound to be encountered more frequently. This case report presents two adolescents with gallbladder stones, to highlight the increasing importance of the condition as a cause of acute and recurrent abdominal pain in Nigerian sicklers. First patient is a 14year old male sickler with recurrent abdominal pain, and typical changes in the stool, over a period of six months. Abdominal ultrasonography revealed gallbladder stones as the most likely cause of the pain. The second patient is a 17-year-old male who presented with a day history of abdominal pain. Ultrasonography also revealed gallbladder stone as the most likely cause of the pain. It is concluded that gallbladder stone is becoming an increasing important cause of abdominal pain in Nigerian sicklers. Abdominal ultrasonography with a deliberate search for gallbladder stones should be routine in sicklers presenting with abdominal pain.

Keywords

• sickle cell disease
• cholelithiasis
• abdominal pain