Acute acalculous cholecystitis following multiple skeletal trauma. A report of three cases

Three cases of acute acalculous cholecystitis are reported in patients with multisystem failure following major long-bone trauma. The diagnosis should be suspected in any such patient who develops septicaemia from an unidentified site. A high index of suspicion should be maintained, especially in patients who are sedated or in receipt of mechanical ventilation of the lungs and in whom physical signs may be minimal or absent.