Counterfeit cholecystitis, a common diagnostic dilemma.

Of 238 patients hospitalized with a diagnosis of acute cholecystitis, 20 per cent were ultimately found to have other conditions, namely, renal/ureteral problems most often, followed by diseases of the liver, pancreas, appendix, and thorax. Discriminant factors are discussed. Operations based on misdiagnoses occurred only in the patients undergoing early operation. Painstaking preoperative study and interval cholecystectomy, whenever possible, are recommended.