Another Face of Epstein-Barr Virus Infection: Acute Acalculous Cholecystitis with Cholestasis in a Previously Healthy Five-Year-Old Girl with Primary Infection

Abstract

Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is a rare disease, particularly in children. The clinical and laboratory presentation of AAC is variable. The diagnosis is based on radiological criteria. AAC is an atypical and rare complication of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, therefore we present a girl with AAC and cholestasis due to EBV primary infection. Conservative treatment and careful monitoring was followed by clinical, radiological and laboratory improvement, and finally complete recovery. Our aim was to highlight the importance of recognizing AAC as a differential diagnosis in children with abdominal pain and/or acute cholestasis.

Keywords

• Acute acalculous cholecystitis
• Children
• Epstein-Barr virus