An 86-year-old woman who suffered from cardiac tamponade due to acute Stanford type A aortic dissection was admitted to our hospital. An emergency operation was performed uneventfully. She suffered from abdominal pain 13 days after the operation. Computed tomography(CT) scan revealed pericholecystic fluid and unclear gallbladder wall, revealing acalculous necrotizing cholecystitis. We performed open cholecystectomy and abdominal cavity drainage. No gallstones were observed. She underwent intensive treatment. She was discharged without complications 44 days after the cholecystectomy.

Ascaris lumbricoides is the most common type of helminth infection in humans. It affects more than one billion of the world's population. Children living in developing nations are prone to ascariasis, presenting with obstructive biliary illnesses. Migration of Ascaris worms through the major duodenal papilla to the hepatobiliary system leads to symptoms of biliary colic and complications along the biliary tree. In April 2022, we performed a systematic review of case reports to identify and examine cases of gallbladder ascariasis worldwide. A methodical search using PubMed, Semantic Scholar, ScienceDirect, and Directory of Open Access Journals yielded 2773 studies. After duplicate removal, title, abstract, and content screening, retrieval, and quality assessment, 13 studies met the criteria for this systematic review of case reports. The cases and results from these 13 studies revealed gallbladder ascariasis in different age groups worldwide. This systematic review discusses ascariasis, explicitly highlighting its presence in the gallbladder, symptomatic presentation, laboratory/imaging findings, complications, and approach to management.

Acalculous cholecystitis is an acute inflammatory disease of the gall bladder with high morbidity and mortality rate. It can be seen in trauma, burns, sepsis, total parenteral nutrition, prolonged fasting, and autoimmune diseases. However, there are very few reports of acalculous cholecystitis with macrophage activation syndrome (MAS) and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in patients with underlying rheumatic/autoimmune disorders. Here we report a 23-year-old male with a past medical history of granulomatosis with polyangiitis who presented with fever, weight loss, and pancytopenia. A comprehensive infectious evaluation was done including bacterial cultures and viral and fungal serologies. Repeat abdominal imaging obtained later due to developing abdominal pain raised concerns for acute acalculous cholecystitis. Despite aggressive management of sepsis, the patient continued to decline clinically. HLH was suspected when the patient was found to meet the clinical criteria with fever, splenomegaly, cytopenia, hypertriglyceridemia, elevated liver function tests, hypofibrinogenemia, and ferritin of 22K ng/mL, absent NK cell activity, and elevated soluble CD25 receptor levels. Bone marrow biopsy did not reveal hemophagocytosis. Intravenous methylprednisolone was started and the patient showed remarkable clinical improvement with a decrease in all inflammatory markers and did not require any surgical intervention. On the review of the literature, we were able to identify four female patients with underlying adult-onset Still's disease and Kikuchi disease who presented with HLH along with acalculous cholecystitis likely triggered by flare. Our male patient presented with HLH and acute acalculous cholecystitis. He had a history of granulomatosis polyangiitis (GPA) that remained in remission. Hypersecretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and cytotoxic cells in HLH promotes ischemia of the gall bladder wall. Early initiation of immunosuppressive therapy under careful observation can prevent surgical intervention and mortality in these patients.

Relatively recently, the concept that immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-related disease is a distinct chronic inflammatory disorder rather than a subset of Sjögren's syndrome has been accepted. IgG4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a fibro-inflammatory systemic immune-mediated condition that can affect the pancreas, salivary glands, and lymph nodes. Almost every organ may be impacted synchronously or metachronously by this illness, which causes the development of sclerotic masses of varying sizes. Numerous other rheumatic diseases can present with characteristics of IgG4-RD, making it difficult to distinguish between them. However, cases of IgG4-RD involving the bilateral orbits, and pancreas with biological abnormalities are rare. We present a case of an 18-year-old female with vitiligo since the age of 3 years who presented with acute pancreatitis and acalculous cholecystitis, bilateral orbital masses, palpebral edema, and eosinophilia. The patient was diagnosed with IgG4-RD in keeping with clinical presentation and the elevated serum IgG4 level and after elimination of other differential diagnoses. The patient's symptoms gradually relieved after glucocorticoid therapy. This case presents an uncommon combination of clinical features infrequently reported in the literature. Multi-organ IgG4-RD is a multisystemic mass, commonly creating diagnostic challenges for clinicians. Furthermore, and more importantly, it highlights the need to keep a differential of IgG4-RD in mind, to aid in the early and correct treatment of the disease.

In this study, we present a case of Behcet's colitis that caused acute inflammation in the gallbladder and mimicked the clinical picture of an acute abdomen: severe right-sided abdominal pain, nausea, fever, and tenderness in the right hypochondrium, right flank, right loin, and right iliac fossa (RIF), with severely elevated white blood cell (WBC) count. The picture of acute acalculous cholecystitis and acute abdomen was resolved after three days of antibiotic therapy. Then, the pain mainly was localized in the right flank and loin, with mild pain in the right iliac fossa, with positive Rovsing's and psoas signs. The pain in the right flank, loin, and RIF dramatically subsided after initiating a low dose of steroid injections. The colonoscopy, which was performed after the marked improvement of the patient's general condition, showed large, deep ulcers with severe colitis in the proximal transverse colon and the ascending colon. There was no cobblestone appearance. The histopathology of the colonoscopic biopsy showed surface ulceration with marked inflammatory infiltrates, mainly neutrophils, and no granulomas were found. The acid-fast bacillus (AFB) test was reported negative. Detailed history-taking, repeated clinical examinations, laboratory studies, and careful interpretation of ultrasound (US) and contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CECT) findings may prevent unnecessary surgical interventions in such fragile patients and lead to a better prognosis. A diagnosis of Behcet's colitis was made, taking into consideration the patient's past medical history, mucocutaneous lesions, and US, CECT, colonoscopic, and histopathology findings. Although there are no specific investigations and tests for Behcet's colitis, sparing of the rectosigmoid area, the absence of cobblestone appearance, the presence of deep, large round ulcers, patchy localization of the lesions, the absence of granulomas, and negative AFB are helpful for confidently excluding other specific colitis such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, intestinal tuberculosis (TB), diverticulitis, and ischemic colitis. In our view, in the differential diagnosis of the non-surgical cause of acute abdomen, Behcet's colitis must be considered among other rare causes, such as inferior myocardial infarction, diabetic ketoacidosis, sickle cell disease, familial Mediterranean fever, and acute intermittent porphyria, especially for the population of Mediterranean coast and Middle East countries.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis accounts for only 5-10% of cholecystitis cases and is often associated with severe trauma, critical illness, or chronic disease. Our case describes an otherwise healthy 25-year-old female presenting with acute abdominal pain. After undergoing a magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and cholescintigraphy she was diagnosed with acute acalculous cholecystitis. Her symptoms resolved following laparoscopic cholecystectomy which highlights the importance of prompt diagnosis and treatment of acalculous cholecystitis even in the absence of trauma or critical illness.

The introduction of percutaneous cholecystostomy (PCT) has shifted the paradigm in treatment of acute calculous and acalculous cholecystitis. PCT has high success and low complication rates, but there are still unresolved issues regarding the duration of the procedure. The aim of our study is to determine the characteristics and outcome of patients treated with short-term PCT drainage. Patients who were admitted to the Department of gastroenterology and the Department of Abdominal Surgery at the University Hospital Center Split under the diagnosis of acute cholecystitis and who were treated with the PCT, in a period between January 2015 and January 2020, were retrospectively included in the study. During that timeframe we identified 92 patients and have analyzed their characteristics and clinical outcomes. The statistical analysis included the Kaplan-Meier method for calculating survival curves for grades 2 and 3, the log-rank test for testing the difference between survival rates of grade 2 and 3 patients, and logistic regression to determine variables that affected the outcome of our patients. According to the Tokyo guidelines, most of the patients (74, 80.43%) met the criteria for grade 2 cholecystitis, and the minority had grade 1 (9, 9.78%) and grade 3 (9, 9.78%) cholecystitis. The average drainage duration was 10.1 ± 4.8 (3-28) days. We identified mild complications in 6 cases. Nine patients (10%) had lethal outcome. The mortality in the largest group of patients with grade 2 cholecystitis was 5.48% and as high as 71.43% in patients with grade 3 cholecystitis. The complication rate was 6.5%. One quarter of gallbladder aspirates showed a ciprofloxacin resistance. Short-time PCT lasting approximately 10 days can be used safely and effectively for the treatment of patients with acute cholecystitis.

Background: Celiac Disease (CD) is an immune-mediated disorder which primarily affects the small intestine; however, extra-intestinal organs are often affected by the pathological process, too. As regards the digestive system, liver alterations in CD patients have been widely described, which can also extend to the biliary tract. Notably, gallbladder function can be altered in CD patients. In this review, we specifically analyze and summarize the main pathophysiological aspects and clinical evidence of gallbladder dysfunction in CD patients, in order to discuss the potential medical complications and clinical research gaps. In addition to some perturbations of bile composition, CD patients can develop gallbladder dysmotility, which mainly expresses with an impaired emptying during the digestive phase. The main pathophysiological determinant is a perturbation of cholecystokinin secretion by the specific duodenal enteroendocrine cells in response to the appropriate nutrient stimulation in CD patients. This situation appears to be reversible with a gluten-free diet in most cases. Despite this gallbladder impairment, CD patients do not seem to be more predisposed to gallbladder complications, such as calculous and acalculous cholecystitis. However, very few clinical studies have actively investigated these clinical aspects, which may not be completely evidenced so far; alternatively, the substantial improvements in the last two decades regarding CD diagnosis, which have reduced the diagnostic delay (and related dietary treatment), may have lessened the potential clinical consequences of CD-related gallbladder dysfunction. Specific clinical studies focused on these aspects are needed for a better understanding of the clinical implications of gallbladder alterations in CD patients.

Chronic cholecystitis is a chronic condition caused by ongoing inflammation of the gallbladder resulting in mechanical or physiological dysfunction its emptying. It presents as a smoldering course that can be accompanied by acute exacerbations of increased pain (acute biliary colic), or it can progress to a more severe form of cholecystitis requiring urgent intervention (acute cholecystitis). There are classic signs and symptoms associated with this disease as well as prevalence in certain patient populations. The two forms of chronic cholecystitis are calculous (occuring in the setting of cholelithiasis), and acalculous (without gallstones). However most cases of chronic cholecystitis are commonly associated with cholelithiasis.

Acalculous cholecystitis is a form of cholecystitis caused by dysfunction or hypokinesis of gallbladder emptying. The more commonly encountered condition of cholecystitis is caused by a mechanical blockage of the gallbladder outlet at the cystic duct, usually by a gallstone. Duncan first described the condition of acalculous cholecystitis in 1844. Although it can present acutely, acalculous cholecystitis typically presents more insidiously. The condition is more common in ill patients in the ICU. Acalculous cholecystitis is a life-threatening disorder that has a high risk of perforation and necrosis compared to the more typical calculous disease.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a minimally invasive surgical procedure for removal of a diseased gallbladder. This technique essentially has replaced the open technique for routine cholecystectomies since the early 1990s. At this time, laparoscopic cholecystectomy is indicated for the treatment of cholecystitis (acute/chronic), symptomatic cholelithiasis, biliary dyskinesia, acalculous cholecystitis, gallstone pancreatitis, and gallbladder masses/polyps. These indications are the same for an open cholecystectomy. Cases of gallbladder cancers are usually best treated with open cholecystectomy. Approximately 20 million people in the United States have gallstones. Of these people, there are approximately 300,000 cholecystectomies performed annually. Ten percent to 15% of the population has asymptomatic gallstones. Of these, 20% are symptomatic (biliary colic). Of the 20% who are symptomatic approximately 1% to 4% will manifest complications (acute cholecystitis, gallstone pancreatitis, choledocholithiasis, gallstone ileus). The incidence of gallstones increases with an increase in age, with females more likely to form gallstones than males. Age 50 to 65 approximately 20% of women and 5% of men have gallstones. Overall, 75% of gallstones are composed of cholesterol, and the other 25% are pigmented. Despite the composition of gallstones the clinical signs and symptoms are the same.

There are several variations and etiologies of gallbladder disease. Chronic and acute cholecystitis are the two ways this condition can present. Calculous and acalculous (with or without gallstones or cholelithiasis) are also variants of this disease. The most common form of gallbladder disease is chronic cholecystitis with cholelithiasis. Up to 15% of the population of the United States has asymptomatic gallstones. On the other hand, 15% of all cases of cholecystitis are acalculous or without stones. Twenty to 25 million Americans have gallstones. Annually, more than 750,000 individuals undergo cholecystectomy in the United States. Many factors have been linked to gallbladder disease. Female gender, obesity, hormone exposure, diabetes, liver disease, age older than 40 years, and drastic weight loss are just a few factors that are associated with a higher incidence of gallbladder disease and gallstones. Symptoms of cholecystitis must be distinguished from other conditions such as irritable bowel, peptic ulcer disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, and cardiac issues. Cases of chronic cholecystitis present as progressing right upper abdominal pain with bloating, food intolerances (especially greasy and spicy foods), increased gas, nausea, and vomiting. Pain in the midback or shoulder may also occur. This pain could be present for years until correctly diagnosed. Cases of acute cholecystitis have similar symptoms only more severe. Often, symptoms are mistaken for cardiac issues. The finding of right upper abdominal pain with deep palpation, Murphy's sign, is usually classic for this disease. Often, there is a specific dietary event leading to the acute attack, "I ate pork chops and gravy last night." The most important and useful test when diagnosing acute or chronic cholecystitis is a thorough history and physical exam performed by an experienced practitioner who is familiar with gallbladder disease. Gallbladder cancer is somewhat rare, annually affecting 3 out of 100,000 individuals in the United States. It may present with symptoms similar to cholecystitis or may be asymptomatic until it becomes advanced.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/28991561

Bipolar disorder is a mental health disorder where the patient experiences extreme shifts in mood marked by depression, mania, or hypomania. It affects their overall daily life activities and sleep patterns. This case report is of a 74-year-old female patient with bipolar disorder who experienced a manic episode after initiation of antibiotics to treat gallbladder perforation with abscess formation. The patient's past medical history included Parkinson's disease, diabetes mellitus, bipolar disorder, and acalculous cholecystitis. The patient required hospitalization for a cholecystostomy tube insertion for drainage. During hospitalization, the patient was started on empiric treatment with broad-spectrum antibiotics, including piperacillin/tazobactam and metronidazole. The patient remained stable during the inpatient stay and was discharged home one week later. She was prescribed cefuroxime and metronidazole to complete a 2-week duration of antibiotics. However, upon discharge, she developed manic symptoms, including lack of need to sleep, excessive talking, and severe agitation. Upon assessment, the psychiatric team decided to hold metronidazole as it has an adverse effect of mania as evidenced in drug information resources. The patient started to show immediate recovery from the symptoms with complete resolution of manic symptoms on the 3rd day following the discontinuation of metronidazole. This case emphasizes the increased need for vigilance in bipolar patients upon prescribing metronidazole. Also, further research is needed to predict the time to onset of manic symptoms and improvement in patient symptoms upon drug discontinuation.

Secondary distal plasmacytoma that arise from multiple myeloma is a common hematological malignancy that manifests in later stages of the disease. These plasmacytomas are known to cause extensive systemic organ damage. When extramedullary plasmacytomas reach the gallbladder or biliary ducts, expansion can mimic acute acalculous cholecystitis or cholangiocarcinoma. We report a case of a 56-year-old female with a history of aggressive course IgA κ chain multiple myeloma who presented with right upper quadrant abdominal pain with nausea and vomiting for one week duration. Her laboratory panel revealed liver function tests consistent with gallbladder etiology. Abdominal ultrasound and CT showed no evidence of cholelithiasis precluding to acute acalculous cholecystitis. Initial medical management did not show any improvement. A robotic cholecystectomy was performed, and a pathology review of the specimen found a neoplastic stricture of the gallbladder fundus, the histological evaluation of which revealed plasmacytoid cells originating from her primary multiple myeloma diagnosis. The patient's condition declined following surgery, postoperative presentation included metastatic liver thrombosis mimicking cholangiocarcinoma and the patient later expired with palliative care.

Hepatitis A virus infection is the commonest form of hepatitis in pediatric age group and common health problem in developing countries due to poor sanitation. The clinical spectrum of hepatitis A virus infection ranges from asymptomatic infection to fulminant hepatitis and the symptoms are primarily hepatobiliary or constitutional. Here, we present a case of 16 years old male who presented with complains of fever, vomiting, anorexia, right sided abdominal pain, shortness of breath and cough. On clinical examination, patient has hepatomegaly and decreased breath sounds on right sided mammary, infra- mammary and infra scapular region. Blood investigations showed aminotransferases while pleural effusion and ascites with thickened gall bladder were found in chest x-ray and abdominal ultrasonography respectively. In absence of others causes, pleural effusion can be a rare complication of hepatitis A. Thus, this complication should be kept in mind in endemic countries in clinically matching scenarios. Keywords: Acalculous cholecystitis; ascites; hepatitis A; pleural effusion.

BACKGROUND COVID-19 disease, caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, has been one of the greatest challenges in modern medicine. It is mostly known to affect the pulmonary system, leading to pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome, but there is a growing body of evidence of extrapulmonary manifestations of COVID-19 disease. CASE REPORT This article presents 3 cases of various extrapulmonary symptoms of COVID-19 disease and a literature review of similar clinical cases. Two patients had a medical history of living-donor kidney transplantation, and 1 patient was a kidney donor. We present symptoms, diagnostic processes, laboratory and imaging results, and treatment approach. Patient 1 was 29-year-old woman with new-onset diabetes mellitus due to SARS-CoV-2, which required temporary insulin treatment. Patient 2 was a 34-year-old man with fever, chronic fatigue, back pain, and abdominal pain. Imagining showed acalculous cholecystitis, epiploic appendagitis of the right colic flexure, and inflammation of pericardial fat pad in the left cardiophrenic angle. Coagulopathy due to COVID-19 was the most probable cause of the described processes. Therapeutic doses of low-molecular-weight heparin were administered. Patient 3 was a 68-year-old male kidney donor who had painless, nodular, reddening lesions on both shins, accompanied by itching on both shins and recurrent fever. The diagnosis of erythema nodosum during COVID-19 was made. After treatment with low-molecular-weight heparin, significant decreases of symptoms were observed. CONCLUSIONS We conclude that SARS-CoV-2 infection can have a varied course and can involve other systems and organs. Physicians should be aware of possible extrapulmonary symptoms associated with infection with this virus. Correct diagnosis is a prerequisite for proper treatment and prevention of unexpected complications.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) represents gallbladder inflammation without evidence of gallstones. This typically results from gallbladder stasis and/or ischemia, which then causes a local inflammatory response within the wall. The condition is typically multifactorial and seen in critically ill patients, with associated risk factors that include trauma, burns, infections, total parenteral nutrition, and surgery. We present the case of a patient with acute-on-chronic hepatitis C infection leading to AAC.