Gallbladder volvulus - Acute cholecystitis 'with a twist'

Abstract

A Caucasian 92-year-old female was admitted to hospital with acute epigastric pain associated with vomiting. Initial investigations revealed mildly raised inflammatory markers, normal liver function tests but a markedly distended gallbladder with prominent wall thickening. The patient was managed with intravenous antibiotics for acute cholecystitis but deteriorated significantly on Day 2 of admission. An emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed and we found a gangrenous gallbladder secondary to gallbladder volvulus. The patient recovered well in the postoperative period and was discharged home 7 days later.