A Case of Emphysematous Cholecystitis in a Patient with Diabetes Mellitus and Advanced Ovarian Cancer

Abstract

Acute emphysematous cholecystitis is a relatively rare disease, a severe variant of acute cholecystitis that predominantly affects elderly diabetic patients. Prompt diagnosis of emphysematous cholecystitis is critical, and the standard treatment is emergent cholecystectomy. In severely ill patients, percutaneous cholecystostomy with broad-spectrum antibiotics may be an alternative choice for treatment. We describe a diabetic woman with advanced ovarian cancer who developed septic shock due to acute emphysematous cholecystitis with rapid deterioration within 6 hours led to death.

Keywords: Emphysematous cholecystitis; Percutaneous cholecystostomy; Septic shock

Introduction

Emphysematous Cholecystitis (E.C) is an uncommon variant of acute cholecystitis in which the causative organisms are gas-forming bacteria. E.C has been defined clinically by the imaging demonstration of air in the gallbladder lumen; in the wall, or in the tissues adjacent to the wall of the gallbladder; and elsewhere in the biliary ducts in the absence of an abnormal communication with the gastrointestinal tract [1]. E.C is pathophysiologically different from acute or chronic cholecystitis. Obstruction of the gallbladder neck secondary to cholelithiasis induces acute and chronic cholecystitis. However, E.C mostly results from thrombosis or occlusion of the cystic artery with ischemic necrosis of the gallbladder wall. Diabetes mellitus is also a confounding factor for emphysematous cholecystitis [2].

The mortality rate from emphysematous cholecystitis is around 15%, higher than that of typical uncomplicated cholecystitis (1.4%) [3]. Due to the high mortality rate, prompt diagnosis and intervention are imperative. Plain radiography, ultrasonography, and computed tomography of the abdomen can provide much information for early diagnosis of this disease. The aim of this article is to present a case of EC and to attempt to elucidate the clinical entity and management of emphysematous cholecystitis.

Case Presentation

A 61-year-old woman with a history of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and advanced ovarian cancer presented to the emergency department with right upper quadrant pain and vomiting for 4 days. She was diagnosed as a case of advanced ovarian cancer1 year ago, underwent bilateral oophorectomy and received adjuvant chemotherapy. The tumor recurs 1 month ago and she was scheduled for another chemotherapy regimen. On physical examination, she looked ill, her blood pressure was 160/85 mmHg, pulse rate 104 beats/minute, body temperature 39.2°C. Lung and heart sounds were normal. The abdomen was soft to palpation with bowel sounds present; however, there was mild upper-right quadrant tenderness without guarding, detectable hepato-splenomegaly, or ascites. Auscultation of the abdomen showed normal peristalsis. On admission, blood tests revealed total bilirubin level of 9.9 μmol/L (direct 6.3 μmol/L); Na 132 mmol/l and K 3.8 mmol/l. The white blood count was 29400/ μl with 94.8% neutrophils. Both abdominal radiograph and bedside ultrasonography showed no significant finding apart from the presence of gallstones.

Provisional diagnosis of acute cholecystitis was made. The patient was admitted to ICU for close monitoring. The patient was treated empirically with ciprofloxacin and metronidazole, and intravenous administration of crystalloids. During the subsequent two hours following admission, the patient developed unexplained sudden cardiac arrest. She was resuscitated, sedated and intubated for ventilatory support. CT scan abdomen was done after stabilization and showed characteristic gallbladder distention, a circumferential gallbladder wall gas lucency, and an intraluminal air (Figure 1). Acute emphysematous cholecystitis was highly suspected then.

    

    

    Figure 1:  Abdominal computed tomography showing an enlarged gall bladder
with intraluminal (indicated by arrowhead) and intramural air (indicated by
white arrow).