Acute cholecystitis in children.

Data from retrospective review of 16 patients treated for acute cholecystitis indicate that the cause of this disease is different in children than in adults. The incidence of acute acalculous cholecystitis is higher in children. Congenital abnormalities of the gallbladder or bile ducts were not found in our patients. Cultures of the bile failed to establish a relationship with preceding infection, although infection seems to be an important etiologic factor. Diagnosis should be based on clinical signs and cholecystography. Early cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice. In patients with jaundice, operative choledochography is recommended.