Mural thickening of the gallbladder? Look to the heart of the problem. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Sojar, Sakina H.; Harrison, David; Fearon, Deirdre; Herliczek, Thaddeus W.; Ziegler, James W.; Welsh, Sarah S.
• Is Part Of: Progress in pediatric cardiology. Volume 62(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: Infectious endocarditis -- Gallbladder Wall thickening -- Acute Acalculous Cholecystitis -- Case report; Pediatric cardiology -- Periodicals; Cardiovascular Diseases -- Periodicals; Infant; Child; Cardiologie pédiatrique -- Périodiques; 618.9212005
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ppedcard.2021.101368
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1058-9813

Abstract

Abstract: The differential diagnosis for mural thickening of the gallbladder is broad and includes many extra-cholecystic conditions, especially in pediatrics. Primary cholecystitis is a rare cause of right upper quadrant pain in children <10 years of age presenting to the emergency department. Here we present the case of a child transferred to a pediatric emergency department due to concern for cholecystitis, radiographically diagnosed with gallbladder wall thickening as the presenting sign of infectious endocarditis with progressive left ventricular failure. Learning objective: Mural thickening of the gallbladder in the pediatric patient should prompt clinicians to think broadly about its etiology spanning several organ systems, including cardiac disease. Highlights: Mural thickening of the gallbladder wall has a broad differential diagnosis Primary gallbladder disease is rare in children less than 10 years of age This case describes this finding as the presenting symptom of endocarditis