Gallbladder disease

Abstract

Gallbladder disease is being diagnosed more frequently in children, although it is not seen nearly as often as in adults. The disease processes contributing to gallbladder pathology are different in children compared with adults. There is a much higher incidence of black pig-mented gallstones due to hemolytic disease in children. Moreover, acute and chronic cholecystitis with severe Inflammation and/or scarring of the gallbladder and surrounding tissues are far less common in children. Aside from these fundamental differences, lessons gained from the vast published experience in adults can be useful in managing children with gallbladder disease. © 2009 Springer Berlin Heidelberg.