{"title":"Point of care ultrasound in rapid diagnosis of acute cholangitis and emphysematous cholecystitis: a case report.","authors":"Min Seok Chae, Olga A Kravchuk","doi":"10.1186/s12245-025-00823-5","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Emphysematous cholecystitis is a rare and rapidly progressive disease that requires prompt diagnosis and intervention. Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is a useful diagnostic imaging tool in the emergency department that can help expedite diagnosis and management of biliary etiology.</p><p><strong>Case presentation: </strong>In our case, we describe an 85 year old female with a history of diabetes mellitus with a presentation consistent with undifferentiated cholecystitis. Point of care ultrasound performed in the emergency department showed a characteristic \"champagne sign\", along with other findings including dilated common bile duct and pericholecystic fluid. These findings ultimately led to the diagnosis of emphysematous cholecystitis and acute cholangitis. The use of ultrasound expedited the patient's cholecystostomy tube placement and subsequent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, proving to be a life-saving tool in the management of this patient.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>POCUS can be an important tool for the diagnosis of undifferentiated biliary etiology, expediting the management of these patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":13967,"journal":{"name":"International Journal of Emergency Medicine","volume":"18 1","pages":"29"},"PeriodicalIF":2.0000,"publicationDate":"2025-02-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11841328/pdf/","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"International Journal of Emergency Medicine","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-00823-5","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"EMERGENCY MEDICINE","Score":null,"Total":0}
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Abstract
Background: Emphysematous cholecystitis is a rare and rapidly progressive disease that requires prompt diagnosis and intervention. Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is a useful diagnostic imaging tool in the emergency department that can help expedite diagnosis and management of biliary etiology.
Case presentation: In our case, we describe an 85 year old female with a history of diabetes mellitus with a presentation consistent with undifferentiated cholecystitis. Point of care ultrasound performed in the emergency department showed a characteristic "champagne sign", along with other findings including dilated common bile duct and pericholecystic fluid. These findings ultimately led to the diagnosis of emphysematous cholecystitis and acute cholangitis. The use of ultrasound expedited the patient's cholecystostomy tube placement and subsequent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, proving to be a life-saving tool in the management of this patient.
Conclusion: POCUS can be an important tool for the diagnosis of undifferentiated biliary etiology, expediting the management of these patients.
期刊介绍:
The aim of the journal is to bring to light the various clinical advancements and research developments attained over the world and thus help the specialty forge ahead. It is directed towards physicians and medical personnel undergoing training or working within the field of Emergency Medicine. Medical students who are interested in pursuing a career in Emergency Medicine will also benefit from the journal. This is particularly useful for trainees in countries where the specialty is still in its infancy. Disciplines covered will include interesting clinical cases, the latest evidence-based practice and research developments in Emergency medicine including emergency pediatrics.