The association of hepatitis A virus infection, acalculous cholecystitis, and blunt abdominal trauma: a diagnostic challenge

Is conservative management a safe approach for patients with acute acalculous cholecystitis presenting with an acute abdomen?

Patients with acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) often present with acute abdominal symptoms. However, recent clinical studies have suggested that some patients with AAC and an acute abdomen, especially when caused by viruses or rheumatic disease, may not require cholecystectomy and that conservative treatment is adequate. Whether cholecystectomy is superior to conservative treatment for patients with AAC presenting with a severe acute abdomen is still uncertain. This was a case series study of AAC-related literature published between 1960 and 2022. In total, 171 cases (104 viral infection-associated AAC and 67 rheumatic disease-associated AAC) were included. The prognoses of patients receiving cholecystectomy or conservative treatment were compared. To account for confounding factors, etiological stratification and logistic regression were performed. The prognosis was similar for patients undergoing cholecystectomy and conservative treatment (P value .364), and virus infection-associated AAC had a better prognosis than rheumatic disease-associated AAC (P value .032). In patients with AAC caused by viruses or rheumatic disease, the acute abdomen can be adequately managed by conservative treatment of the underlying etiology and does not mandate surgical intervention.

Acalculous cholecystitis is a common extrahepatic manifestation of hepatitis E and suggests a more serious condition

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to understand the incidence and clinical significance of acalculous cholecystitis in patients with acute hepatitis E (HE).

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A single center enrolled 114 patients with acute HE. All patients underwent imaging of the gallbladder, and patients with gallstones and cholecystectomy were excluded.

RESULTS

Acalculous cholecystitis was found in 66 patients (57.89%) with acute HE. The incidence in males was 63.95%, which was significantly higher than in females (39.29%) (P = 0.022). The mean length of hospital stay and the incidence of spontaneous peritonitis in patients with cholecystitis (20.12 ± 9.43 days and 9.09%, respectively) were significantly higher than those in patients without cholecystitis (12.98 ± 7.26 days and 0%, respectively) (P < 0.001 and P = 0.032). Albumin, total bile acid, bilirubin, cholinesterase, and prothrombin activity in patients with cholecystitis were significantly inferior to those in patients without cholecystitis (P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001 and P = 0.003, respectively). After correction by multivariate analysis, albumin and total bile acid were found to be closely related to acalculous cholecystitis in HE.

CONCLUSION

Acalculous cholecystitis is very common in patients with acute HE, and may serve as a predictor of increased peritonitis, synthetic decompensation, and longer hospital stay.

HAV-induced acalculous cholecystitis: A case report and literature review

Hepatitis A virus (HAV) has some life-threatening extrahepatic complications, such as acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC). We present HAV-induced AAC in a young female, based on clinical, laboratory, and imaging findings, and conduct a literature review. The patient became irritable, which progressed to lethargy, as well as a significant decline in liver function, indicating acute liver failure (ALF). She was immediately managed in the intensive care unit with close airway and hemodynamic monitoring after being diagnosed with ALF (ICU). The patient's condition was improving, despite only close monitoring and supportive treatment with ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and N-acetyl cysteine (NAC).

Hepatitis A virus-associated acute acalculous cholecystitis in an adult-onset Still’s disease patient: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is inflammation of the gallbladder without evidence of calculi. Although rarely reported, its etiologies include hepatitis virus infection (e.g., hepatitis A virus, HAV) and adult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD). There are no reports of HAV-associated AAC in an AOSD patient.

CASE SUMMARY

Here we report a rare case of HAV infection-associated AAC in a 39-year-old woman who had a history of AOSD. The patient presented with an acute abdomen and hypotension. Elevated hepatobiliary enzymes and a thickened and distended gallbladder without gallstones on ultrasonography suggested AAC, but there were no signs of anemia nor thrombocytopenia. Serological screening revealed anti-HAV IgM antibodies. Steroid treatment did not alleviate her symptoms, and she was referred for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The resected gallbladder was hydropic without perforation, and her clinical signs gradually improved after surgery.

CONCLUSION

AAC can be caused by HAV in AOSD patients. It is crucial to search for the underlying etiology for AAC, especially uncommon viral causes.

Acute Acalculous Cholecystitis: Think of Hepatitis A Infection and Do Not Underestimate Pain

ABSTRACT

A 14-year-old adolescent girl presented with severe abdominal pain, tenderness, and guarding in the right upper quadrant associated with nonbilious vomiting, scleral icterus, and fever. Laboratory tests were consistent with acute hepatitis A virus-related cholestatic hepatitis. A point-of-care ultrasound showed mild gallbladder wall thickening with increased color Doppler flow and pericholecystic fluid collection, in the absence of gallstones or biliary ducts dilatation, thus suggesting acute acalculous cholecystitis. Both the clinical symptoms and the point-of-care ultrasound findings completely resolved within 1 week after admission with conservative treatment.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis in children

Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is the inflammatory disease of the gallbladder in the absence of gallstones. AAC is estimated to represent at least 50% to 70% of all cases of acute cholecystitis during childhood. Although this pathology was originally described in critically ill or post-surgical patients, most pediatric cases have been observed during several infectious diseases. In addition to cases caused by bacterial and parasitic infections, most pediatric reports after 2000 described children developing AAC during viral illnesses (such as Epstein-Barr virus and hepatitis A virus infections). Moreover, some pediatric cases have been associated with several underlying chronic diseases and, in particular, with immune-mediated disorders. Here, we review the epidemiological aspects of pediatric AAC, and we discuss etiology, pathophysiology and clinical management, according to the cases reported in the medical literature.

Acalculous Acute Cholecystitis in Previously Healthy Children: General Overview and Analysis of Pediatric Infectious Cases

Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is an inflammation of the gallbladder, which does not appear to be associated with the presence of gallstones. AAC is estimated to represent more than 50% of cases of acute cholecystitis in the pediatric population. Although this pathology was initially described in critically ill patients, actually most pediatric cases have been observed during several infectious diseases. Particularly, here we reviewed pediatric infectious acute acalculous cholecystitis and analyzed the pathophysiological and clinical aspects of bacterial and viral forms.

Acute Acalculous Cholecystitis due to Viral Hepatitis A

Inflammation of the gallbladder without evidence of calculi is known as acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC). AAC is frequently associated with gangrene, perforation, and empyema. Due to these associated complications, AAC can be associated with high morbidity and mortality. Medical or surgical treatments can be chosen according to the general condition of the patient, underlying disease and agent. Particularly in acute acalculous cholecystitis cases, early diagnosis and early medical treatment have a positive effect on the patient and protect them from surgical trauma. ACC is a rare complication of acute viral hepatitis A. Herein, we present an adult patient of acalculous cholecystitis due to acute viral hepatitis A. She responded to the conservative management.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis in children with Epstein-Barr virus infection: a role for Gilbert's syndrome?

Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) in association with acute Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection has rarely been described in childhood. In the literature, there are only four reported pediatric cases of AAC associated with isolated primary EBV infection. We present two cases (one new, one retrospectively reviewed) of children with Gilbert's syndrome (GS) who presented with AAC during the course of primary EBV infection. Antibiotics were not used and AAC subsided gradually as the infection regressed. The co-occurrence of GS might have played a contributory role in the pathogenesis of AAC during acute EBV infection.