Two cases of gallbladder torsion diagnosed preoperatively in elderly patients

Abstract

Gallbladder torsion occurs in elderly women and causes ischemia of the gallbladder wall, requiring prompt treatment. We encountered two cases of gallbladder torsion in our hospital. Case 1 involved a 96-years-old woman who was admitted due to right hypochondrial pain. An abdominal CT scan revealed deviation of the gallbladder axis. Preoperatively, we diagnosed gallbladder torsion and performed cholecystectomy via laparotomy. Case 2 involved a 98-year-old woman who was admitted due to sudden right hypochondrial pain. The CT scan showed an enlarged gallbladder and ischemic changes in the gallbladder wall. We diagnosed a gallbladder torsion and performed laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In both patients, the postoperative courses were uneventful, and they were discharged on the 11th and 6th postoperative days, respectively. With an increasing number of elderly patients, the incidence of gallbladder torsion is also expected to rise. Therefore, it is important to understand the characteristics of the imaging findings and physical examination findings of gallbladder torsion for prompt treatment intervention.