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Case Reports
. 2014 Jan 17:2014:bcr2013202437.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2013-202437.

Haemorrhagic cholecystitis: an unusual cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Natalie Hicks  1
Affiliations
Case Reports

Haemorrhagic cholecystitis: an unusual cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Natalie Hicks. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

Haemorrhagic cholecystitis is a rare cause of upper gastrointestinal bleeding and is a difficult diagnosis to make. This case report describes an orthopaedic patient, who developed deranged liver function tests and anaemia after a hemiarthroplasty of the hip. The patient had upper abdominal pain and black stools which clinically appeared to be melaena. An ultrasound scan of the abdomen was inconclusive, and therefore a CT was performed and the potential diagnosis of haemorrhagic cholecystitis was raised. An endoscopic evaluation of the upper gastrointestinal tract showed no evidence of other causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Following an emergency laparotomy and cholecystectomy, she recovered well. This report aims to increase awareness about the uncommon condition of haemorrhagic cholecystitis, and to educate regarding clinical and radiological signs which lead to this diagnosis.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Cross-sectional image from CT demonstrating gallbladder findings.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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