On hospital day 2, progressive elevation in her bilirubin C188-9 cost and alkaline phosphatase prompted

a gastro-enterology consultation and an endoscopic retrograde cholangiogram (ERC). This demonstrated dilatation of intra- and extra-hepatic bile ducts, a patent cystic duct, but non-filling of the gallbladder (Belinostat in vitro Figure 3). A sphincterotomy was performed with evacuation of biliary sludge, but no stones were extracted; a common bile duct stent was placed. Her liver function tests did then trend towards normal. Figure 3 ERC in Patient 1 showing mild dilatation of extrahepatic biliary tree with patent cystic duct (arrow) but without visualization of the gallbladder. A cholecystostomy tube was planned, but due to unfavorable anatomy through the liver, it could not be performed. On hospital day 6, despite a normal white blood cell count and apyrexia, she complained of worsening abdominal pain. Following an appropriate pre-operative cardiac workup, the patient and DPOA then consented to an open cholecystectomy with a presumptive diagnosis of acute cholecystitis. On entering the abdominal cavity, a gangrenous distended gallbladder with omentum adhesed to it circumferentially was immediately noted (Figure 4). On further careful dissection, it was observed that the gallbladder was twisted on the cystic duct Semaxanib mouse and artery, and the diagnosis

of gallbladder volvulus was then made. The gallbladder torsion was reduced and a cholecystectomy was then performed in the Prostatic acid phosphatase usual fashion, with placement of a Jackson-Pratt drain in the gallbladder fossa. The specimen did not contain any gallstones. Histology revealed transmural necrosis consistent with volvulus. Figure 4 Intraoperative finding. Necrotic gallbladder twisted on its mesentery She succumbed from cardio-respiratory failure on post-operative day 4, and was made comfort care respecting her do not resuscitate wishes. Case Report Two An 89-year-old Caucasian female with no significant past medical history

presented with acute right upper quadrant abdominal pain of approximately 5 hours duration. The pain radiated to the right flank, was crampy with intensities of sharpness, and was precipitated by a large meal. There were no aggravating or relieving factors. Associated phenomena included anorexia and nausea, but no fevers, chills or change in bowel habit. Her past surgical history was significant for an appendectomy. Focused clinical abdominal examination revealed a soft, mildly distended abdomen tender to palpation in the right hypochondrium; a positive Murphy’s sign was present. She was afebrile with stable vital signs; laboratory parameters were within normal limits. An abdominal ultrasound revealed a distended gallbladder with mild wall thickening (Figure 5). There was no evidence of gallstones or biliary duct dilatation. A sonographic Murphy’s sign was positive. A HIDA scan demonstrated non-filling of the gallbladder consistent with cystic duct obstruction (Figure 6).