Acute acalculous cholecystitis in severely traumatized patients: a prospective sonographic study

Acute acalculous cholecystitis is a well known complication in severely traumatized patients. Existing data originate from retrospective analyses and episodic case reports. In a prospective ultrasonographic study 25 polytraumatized patients admitted to our intensive care unit between January 1, 1989, and December 31, 1989, were examined in daily intervals for this condition. Trauma scoring was performed according to the injury severity score (ISS) and polytrauma score (PTS). "Stress cholecystitis" was defined as a combination of hydrops of the gallbladder, an increased mural thickness (> 3.5 mm), and the demonstration of "sludge." We were able to demonstrate this diagnostic triad in four out of 25 patients (= 16%). As a consequence early elective cholecystectomy was done in one patient. The remaining patients were treated conservatively. The incidence of stress cholecystitis in severely traumatized patients is probably higher than figures so far published suggest. Ultrasonography is a reliable method of early detection and follow-up for this complication.