A rare case report of enteric fever causing gallbladder perforation

Area of Science:

• Medicine
• Surgery
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Enteric fever poses significant public health challenges, particularly in developing nations.
• Gallbladder perforation is an exceedingly rare complication of enteric fever.
• Prompt recognition and management are vital for patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a rare case of gallbladder perforation secondary to enteric fever in an adult patient.
• To highlight the diagnostic challenges and treatment strategies for this unusual surgical emergency.

Main Methods:

• A 50-year-old female presented with symptoms of fever and severe abdominal pain.
• Diagnostic imaging (ultrasonography and MRCP) revealed gallbladder perforation.
• Treatment involved percutaneous drainage, antibiotics, and subsequent cholecystectomy with peritoneal lavage.

Main Results:

• Culture of bile confirmed Salmonella Typhi infection.
• The patient successfully recovered following a two-stage surgical and antibiotic treatment.
• The patient was discharged on the 8th postoperative day.

Conclusions:

• Gallbladder perforation due to enteric fever is a rare but critical surgical emergency.
• High clinical suspicion and timely surgical intervention are essential for managing this condition.
• Cholecystectomy and abdominal lavage are generally effective treatments for gallbladder perforation.