Acute acalculous cholecystitis:

Diseases of the gallbladder and biliary tree

Most disorders of the biliary system are associated with increased activity of parenchymal transaminases (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase) and cholestatic enzymes (alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyl transferase) with or without hyperbilirubinemia or jaundice. While parenchymal liver disease is most common in the dog, inflammatory disorders involving the small- and medium-sized bile ducts and zone 1 (periportal) hepatocytes predominate in the cat. Historically, the incidence of disorders restricted to the gallbladder is low in both species; however, with routine diagnostic use of abdominal ultrasonography, the incidence of gallbladder mucoceles and cholelithiasis has increased. Extrahepatic bile duct obstruction is a well-recognized syndrome because of its association with pancreatitis and obvious jaundice. Less common disorders of the biliary system include a cadre of diverse conditions, including necroinflammatory processes, cholelithiasis, malformations, neoplasia, and an emerging syndrome of gallblader dysmotility.

Two reports of acute neonatal acalculous cholecystitis (necrotizing cholecystitis) in a 2-week-old premature infant and a term neonate

We present 2 cases of acute acalculous cholecystitis, an extremely rare entity in newborns. A number of risk factors have been identified, such as inspissated bile, prematurity, sepsis, dehydration, total parenteral nutrition, medications, and Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide endotoxin. In our cases, gallbladder bile had positive bacterial cultures for E coli. We present the cases of a premature infant and a term neonate who developed acute acalculous cholecystitis: one with several risk factors and the second with a very atypical presentation.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis associated with systemic lupus erythematosus with Sjogren's syndrome

Both systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjogren's syndrome are autoimmune diseases. Almost all organs can be involved but the gall bladder is an unusual site. We report a 39-year-old woman with systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjogren's syndrome presenting with acute acalculous cholecystitis. It is a very rare complication and, in the literature review, surgical interventions are mostly applied for treatment. In our case, high dose corticosteroid was tried and clinical manifestations and radiologic findings were improved.