Journal List > Korean J Gastroenterol > v.61(1) > 1007108

Yun, Jeong, Chang, Jo, Park, Lee, Kim, and Cheon: A Case of Acute Cholecystitis after Colonoscopy

Abstract

A 43-year-old man, who received total gastrectomy five years ago for advanced gastric cancer, underwent a screening colonoscopy and abdominal CT scan. Abdominal CT scan revealed no abnormal findings. Colonoscopy revealed polyps at the rectum, which were removed by polypectomy. The patient did not complain of abdominal pain or discomfort throughout the procedure. But, he developed right upper quadrant abdominal pain on the next day after colonoscopy. Abdominal CT scan revealed the distended gallbladder with mild wall thickening and suspicious sandy stones or sludge in the gallbladder. The patient underwent an open cholecystectomy. Pathology was compatible with acute cholecystitis. We should be aware of and consider cholecystitis in the differential diagnosis for patients with abdominal pain after colonoscopy.

References

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Fig. 1.
Abdominal computed tomography performed before colonoscopy showed the normal gallbladder.
kjg-61-42f1.tif
Fig. 2.
Abdominal computed tomography performed after colonoscopy showed the distended gallbladder with mild wall thickening and suspicious sandy stones or sludge in the gallbladder.
kjg-61-42f2.tif
Fig. 3.
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography showed the diffusely distended gallbladder with wall thickening and small stones or sludge in the gallbladder.
kjg-61-42f3.tif
Fig. 4.
Pathologic findings of the gallbladder revealed extensive ulceration of the mucosa, hemorrhage, and edema with a dense transmural infiltration of neutrhophils and mononuclear inflammatory cells (H&E, ×40).
kjg-61-42f4.tif
Table 1.
Reported Cases of Colonoscopy Associated Cholecystitis
Author, Year Age (yr)/ Gender Time a (hr) Gallstone Tx
Milman and Goldenberg, 20013 58/F 72 LC
  49/F 24 LC
Fernádez-Marthínez et al., 20024 76/M 48 OC
Aziz et al., 20075 63/F 24 LC
  60/M 72 LC
Maddur et al., 20116 70/M 18 LC
  70/M 72 LC
  57/F 48 LC
This case, 2013 43/M 31 OC

a Between colonoscopy and diagnosis of cholecystitis. F, female; M, male; LC, laparoscopic cholecystectomy; OC, open cholecystectomy; Tx, treatment.

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