Acalculous gangrenous cholecystitis in a young adult - A gastrointestinal manifestation of polyarteritis nodosa

Abstract

The authors report a rare case of an acalculous gangrenous cholecystitis due to a form of vasculitis, polyarteritis nodosa (PAN). An 18-year-old man was admitted to the hospital with worsening symptoms of nausea, fever, intermittent abdominal pain, and high blood pressure that lasted for 4 days. After a sequential work-up, a diagnostic laparoscopy was performed and revealed a gangrenous cholecystitis with spontaneous perforation. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed successfully. The patient had an uneventful recovery period and was discharged on the second postoperative day. The histopathologic examination showed gangrenous and perforated gallbladder, vasculitis, and clues of PAN. The purpose of this article is to describe a rare condition in a young patient that was diagnosed and treated with minimally invasive surgery.