ACUTE ACALCULOUS CHOLECYSTITIS (AAC) RESULTING IN GALLBLADDER PERFORATION IN A SOLID-ORGAN TRANSPLANT RECIPIENT - A CASE-REPORT

Gallbladder perforation is a frequent complication of acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC), resulting in substantially increased morbidity a nd mortality. Two groups of patients are at increased risk for perfora tion: those with systemic diseases (especially peripheral vascular dis ease, intrinsic heart disease, or diabetes) and those who are chronica lly immunosuppressed. The current population of solid organ transplant recipients meets both criteria. We describe an unusual case of gallbl adder perforation as a complication of AAC in an otherwise healthy kid ney transplant recipient. Because transplant recipients are at increas ed risk for gallbladder perforation, maintaining a high index of suspi cion for this complication will help avoid the increased morbidity and mortality associated with this diagnosis.