[Acute emphysematous cholecystitis. Report of 3 cases]

Three cases of acute emphysematous cholecystitis are reported. Our experience has been that this disease, compared with the occurrence of common acute cholecystitis, is rare. The clinical picture is discussed and emphasis is made concerning the roentgenographic diagnosis and surgical findings, such as obstruction of the cistic duct, which is probable the cause of the histopathologic changes found in the gall bladder. The negative results from the culture of material obtained from the gall bladder was probably due to antibiotic administration prior to surgery. A review of the recent literature and surgical treatment, after correction of metabolic and hydroelectrolito imbalances, is made.