Gas in the abdominal cavity--due to cholecystitis caused by gas-producing bacteria
Miettinen, S.; Hakkarainen, T.; Reinikainen, M.; Hakala, T.
Duodecim; Laaketieteellinen Aikakauskirja 126(17): 2055-2057
2010
ISSN/ISBN: 0012-7183 PMID: 21053522 Document Number: 640813
In most cases, gas in the abdominal cavity indicates perforation of the gastrointestinal wall. We describe a patient, in whom the cause of abdominal gas detected in computed tomography turned out to be emphysematous cholecystitis caused by gas-producing bacteria. It is a rare disease characterized by accumulation of gas into the gall bladder or its wall. The gas can be easily observed in computed tomography. The disease easily becomes complicated and is associated with high mortality. Prompt cholecystectomy and antibiotic therapy are the cornerstones of the treatment.