Related Experiment Videos

Acute Cholecystitis as a Potentially Fatal Complication of Cerebrovascular Disease

Hiroshi Yokota1,2, Masahiro Terabe2,3, Yuko Matsumoto2

  • 1Department of Neurosurgery, Nabari City Hospital, Nabari, Mie, Japan.

Neurology India
|July 27, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Acute cholecystitis (AC) occurred in 2.6% of patients with cerebrovascular disease (CVD), suggesting a potential link. Early diagnosis is crucial due to nonspecific symptoms and potential for delayed detection in CVD patients.

Area of Science:

  • Vascular Surgery
  • Critical Care Medicine
  • Gastroenterology

Background:

  • Acute cholecystitis (AC) is a severe complication in critically ill patients.
  • Cerebrovascular disease (CVD) involves vascular factors like atherosclerosis and ischemia.
  • The occurrence of AC in CVD patients is underreported.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate the incidence of AC in patients with a history of CVD.
  • Detail the clinical characteristics of AC in this patient group.
  • Compare AC incidence and risk factors between CVD and traumatic brain injury (TBI) patients.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective review of hospitalized patients with CVD at a single institution.
  • Analysis of AC incidence, atherosclerotic factors, and known risk factors.
  • Comparison with a cohort of patients with TBI.

Main Results:

  • AC incidence was 2.6% in CVD patients versus 0.7% in TBI patients (P=0.233).
  • Hypertension, fever, and nonambulant status were more frequent in CVD patients.
  • Three of four AC cases in CVD patients occurred after recurrent CVD.

Conclusions:

  • AC is a potential complication in CVD patients, sometimes fatal.
  • Neurological deficits and altered consciousness can delay AC diagnosis.
  • Further prospective studies are needed to confirm the AC-CVD relationship.
Abstract

Keywords:
Acute acalculous cholecystitisacute calculous cholecystitisacute cholecystitiscerebrovascular diseasegallstonestroketraumatic brain injury

Related Concept Videos

Cholecystitis01:20

Cholecystitis

Cholecystitis is inflammation of the gallbladder, most commonly caused by obstruction of the cystic duct. This blockage prevents bile from draining, leading to gallbladder distension, inflammation, and potentially serious complications. This condition may present acutely or chronically and can happen with or without gallstones.EtiologyAbout 95% of cholecystitis cases are calculous, caused by gallstones blocking the cystic duct, leading to bile accumulation and inflammation of the gallbladder...
Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction01:17

Chronic Bowel Disorders: Introduction

Chronic bowel diseases are a group of long-term conditions affecting the digestive tract, characterized by inflammation and damage to the gut lining. These conditions primarily include irritable bowel syndrome and inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common disorder affecting the gastrointestinal tract. The distinctive feature is recurrent abdominal pain associated with altered bowel movements, manifesting as constipation, diarrhea, or fluctuating between both. The...
Hepatic Encephalopathy01:29

Hepatic Encephalopathy

DefinitionHepatic encephalopathy is a reversible neurologic syndrome that results from advanced liver dysfunction or portosystemic shunting. It leads to disturbances in cognition, behavior, and motor function due to the brain’s exposure to gut-derived toxins that the liver fails to detoxify.EtiologyThis condition develops either in the setting of acute fulminant hepatitis or progressively during chronic liver disease, such as cirrhosis and portal hypertension. Portosystemic shunting—including...
Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction01:17

Hemorrhagic Stroke l: Introduction

A hemorrhagic stroke is an acute neurological event that occurs when a weakened cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to accumulate within or around the brain. The sudden release of blood forms a focal hematoma that increases intracranial pressure, displaces neural tissue, and can obstruct cerebrospinal fluid pathways. These effects may be compounded by intraventricular extension of the hemorrhage, cerebral edema, or compression of adjacent structures, all of which contribute to...
Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology01:29

Hemorrhagic Stroke ll: Pathophysiology

A hemorrhagic stroke develops when a cerebral blood vessel ruptures, allowing blood to escape into the surrounding brain tissue, as in intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), or into the subarachnoid space, as in subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Because the skull is a rigid compartment, the sudden presence of extravascular blood rapidly increases intracranial pressure and compresses adjacent neural structures, leading to immediate tissue injury and impaired cerebral perfusion.Mass Effect and Primary...
Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology01:22

Cerebral Edema ll: Pathophysiology

Vasogenic edema is a major form of cerebral edema characterized by abnormal accumulation of fluid in the brain’s extracellular space due to disruption of the blood–brain barrier (BBB). The BBB is a specialized structure composed of endothelial cells connected by tight junctions, supported by astrocytic endfeet and a basement membrane. Under normal conditions, it tightly regulates the movement of ions, proteins, and solutes between the bloodstream and brain parenchyma. When this barrier loses...