Acute cholecystitis in paediatric patients in Khartoum, Sudan

ABSTRACT

Acute cholecystitis in children is a rare presentation, especially acalcular type. Many cases of acute cholecystitis in paediatrics were reported in western literatures, but few reports were published from tropical countries. The objectives of this study are to reflect on frequency of acute cholecystitis, its risk factors, diagnostic methods and outcome in children. A prospective data collection of five [2.5%] patients, one female and four males, with acute cholecystitis, collected among 200 paediatric patients presented with acute surgical abdomen over six months, between August 2006 through January 2007 in Khartoum teaching hospital plus another three elective cases [one male and 2 females] collected from private centre over two years. Five [2.5%] patients had acute cholecystitis and three elective cases. Five boys and three girls. Their ages ranged from 6 to 11 years. They were five cases of calcular cholecystitis. Thickened gallbladder wall, non shadowing echogenic materials or sludge in four patients, and pericholecystic fluid collection in two patients. No identifiable causes were found in four patients, one patient with acalcular cholecystitis discovered to have Salmonella infection and 2 children with sickle cell disease. Acute cholecystitis in pediatric is not common. High index of suspicion is required for correct diagnosis