Open AccessAbdominal pain and vomiting during pregnancy due to cholesterolosis
Author(s) -
Emilie Vj van Limburg Stirum,
Maria G. van Pampus,
Jeroen M. Jansen,
Erica W. M. Janszen
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
bmj case reports
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.231
H-Index - 26
ISSN - 1757-790X
DOI - 10.1136/bcr-2018-227826
Subject(s) - medicine , vomiting , gallstones , abdominal pain , pregnancy , cholecystectomy , cholecystitis , gallbladder disease , hyperemesis gravidarum , gestation , surgery , gallbladder , obstetrics , genetics , biology
We present a 22-year-old pregnant woman at 15 weeks of gestation, with abdominal pain and vomiting. We demonstrate that diagnosis and treatment of vomiting and abdominal pain in pregnancy can be difficult. Therefore, involvement of other medical specialists is important when common treatments fail. Cholesterolosis can cause symptoms similar to those caused by cholelithiasis. Controversial to gallstones, identification of cholesterolosis by ultrasound is hard. Cholecystectomy is the only effective treatment option for cholesterolosis and can be performed safely during pregnancy. Cholecystectomy in pregnancy should be considered if, despite atypical symptoms, gallbladder disease is suspected and other diagnoses are ruled out. This may reduce recurrent symptoms, hospital admissions, exposure to harmful drugs and obstetric complications.