Clinical Analysis of Cholecystitis: Acalculous Cholecystitis Compared to Calculous Cholecystitis

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyse the characteristics of acalculous cholecystitis (AC) compared with those of calculous cholecystitis (CC), and also to find the relationship of preoperative radiologic findings to the classification of pathological degree of inflammation of the gallbladder in AC. METHODS: Between March 1996 and June 2000 a total of 163 patients undergoing cholecystectomy for cholecystitis were divided into group AC (21 patients) and group CC (142 patients) and retrospectively studied by analyzing clinical data. RESULTS: The incidence of AC among cholecystitis cases was 12.9%. there was male preponderance in group AC whereas female preponderance in group CC (P<0.036). The pulse rate (P<0.02) and white blood cell count (P<0.003) were significantly elevated in group AC. Possible etiological factors were found in 6 cases (28%) in group AC. The rates of preoperatively observed pericholecystic fluid collection in US (P<0.033) and dilatation of the gallbladder in CT (0.012) were significantly higher in group AC than in group CC. Additionally, the rate of tube drainage during surgery was significantly higher in group AC than group CC (P<0.02). Finally, wall thickness (P<0.05), dilatation (P<0.05) of the gallbladder in CT and the total sum of findings in CT (P<0.01) and US (P<0.05) were strongly related to the degree of inflammation of the gallbladder. CONCLUSION: The majority of AC patients exhibit nonspecific clinical findings, often delaying diagnosis; however, if it develops, AC tends to display more acute and inflammatory characteristics than calculous cholecystitis. laparoscopic surgery cannot be sucessful in cases of delayed diagnosis. US, CT and scintigram are useful diagnostic tools if we interpretate each finding in relation to the severity of inflammation.