Acute acalculous cholecystitis: a rare complication of typhoid fever

Inian G, Kanagalakshmi V, Kuruvilla PJ
Correspondence: Dr Geetha Inian, inians@cmcvellore.ac.in

ABSTRACT
Acute acalculous cholecystitis is a very rare complication of typhoid fever, and may be due to multi-drug resistant and virulent forms of Salmonella infection. It is particularly rare in adults. A 21-year-old woman, presenting with fever, vomiting, diarrhoea and abdominal pain, was found to have acute acalculous cholecystitis due to typhoid fever on basis of ultrasonographical findings and a positive Widal's test for Salmonella typhi. She was treated with antibiotics and made a full recovery.

Keywords: acute acalculous cholecystitis, cholecystitis, salmonella, typhoid fever, ultrasonography
Singapore Med J 2006; 47(4): 327-328