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Gallbladder Volvulus in the Elderly
Author(s) -
McHenry Christopher R.,
Byrne Mitchel P.
Publication year - 1986
Publication title -
journal of the american geriatrics society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.992
H-Index - 232
eISSN - 1532-5415
pISSN - 0002-8614
DOI - 10.1111/j.1532-5415.1986.tb05482.x
Subject(s) - medicine , volvulus , gallbladder , etiology , presentation (obstetrics) , gallbladder disease , cholecystitis , acute cholecystitis , disease , general surgery , cholecystectomy , intensive care medicine , surgery
Volvulus of the gallbladder is an extremely rare condition presenting often in elderly patients commonly mimicking acute cholecystitis. Two cases of gallbladder volvulus in two octogenarian patients are presented from our institution. Clinical presentation is reviewed and some characteristic clinical and radiographic findings are described. The etiology of this rare entity is discussed with particular emphasis on visceroptosis, a common finding in elderly patients. The importance of early recognition and rapid treatment of this potentially fatal disease is emphasized. It is possible with increasing longevity, with its accompanying tendency to visceroptosis, that this entity may occur more frequently in the future. Its recognition and proper treatment is essential to good results in this elderly group of patients.