[Infectious mononucleosis : an atypical cause of acute alithiasic cholecystitis].

Abstract

The Epstein-Barr virus (also known as EBV), responsible for infectious mononucleosis, is a virus that infects the majority of the world's population. Infection occurs in several forms, most often asymptomatic, or as a fever accompanied by pharyngitis and lymphadenopathies. A rare complication of infectious mononucleosis is acute acalculous cholecystitis, an inflammation of the gallbladder characterized by ischaemia and severe cholestasis. The diagnosis of this pathology is made by imaging, but determining the cause may be tricky. We present here the case of acute acalculous cholecystitis in a 21-year-old woman. This case highlights a rare complication of EBV infection that is probably under-diagnosed, and demonstrates the usefulness of interpreting liver tests and leukocyte count in association with imaging findings.