[Cholecystitis in infants].

Abstract

In two infants presenting with non-specific abdominal symptoms, three months and four weeks of age, respectively, cholecystitis was suspected on ultrasound examination of the abdomen and confirmed and treated by surgery. In the first patient the cholecystitis was secondary to cholelithiasis. The second patient was shown to have an infected gallbladder due to an anatomical anomaly of the cystic duct. It is concluded that even in young infants, cholecystitis as a complication of congenital or neonatal pathology may underlie abdominal symptoms. Ultrasonography of the abdomen is an important diagnostic aid and cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice.