Report of a case with gallbladder torsion

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Gallbladder torsion is a rare condition of acute abdomen that can lead to acute cholecystitis and gallbladder gangrene. Preoperative diagnosis of this condition is usually difficult and in the most cases, diagnosis achieved at the operation. The preferred treatment is emergent surgery. Considering this condition in the diagnosis of acute abdomen and acute cholecystitis, makes it possible to prevent its dangerous complications such as gallbladder perforation, peritonitis and mortality.CASE: A 82 year old man with symptoms of acute cholecystitis presented to Shahid Beheshti hospital, Babol, Iran in summer 2004. Sonography of gallbladder showed cholecystitis due to stone. The patient had fever and with clinical diagnosis of empyema, he was operated for cholecystectomy. Diagnosis of gallbladder torsion was made during operation.CONCLUSION: Gallbladder torsion must be considered in the differential diagnosis of acute abdomen and cholecystitis in old patients in order to prevent from its complications and mortalily.

Keywords

• gallbladder torsion
• acute cholecystitis