Acute acalculous cholecystitis in a patient on total parenteral nutrition: case report and review of the Japanese literature

Abstract

Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) is a rare and dangerous complication of various medical and surgical conditions. We report on a male patient with bile panperitonitis caused by gangrenous AAC, which developed while he was on total parenteral nutrition (TPN) for ileus related to obstructive colon cancer. We also review the relevant Japanese literature on AAC associated with TPN. Our patient suddenly developed right hypochondrial pain after 3 days of TPN while waiting for colon cancer surgery. We diagnosed acute AAC by ultrasonography, and salvaged the patient by cholecystectomy plus left colectomy. Early diagnosis by ultrasound is important for this critical condition. Knowledge of the risk of acute gangrenous cholecystitis during TPN may allow the physician to provide an appropriate diagnosis and treatment.