BACKGROUND/AIMS: We report the case of a 53-year-old man with fever and severe abdominal pain following an upper respiratory tract infection.

METHODS/RESULTS: The clinical signs, the laboratory markers, and the ultrasound findings were consistent with acute acalculous cholecystitis and he underwent cholecystectomy. Histologically the gallbladder showed vasculitis and the patient developed postoperatively a purpuric rash of the legs with transient ankle arthritis. Gastroscopy revealed prepyloric ulcers consistent with vasculitis. The patient was diagnosed as having Henoch-Schönlein purpura. Gastric ulcers as well as arthritis disappeared upon treatment with corticosteroids and proton pump inhibitors.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, Henoch-Schönlein purpura can mimic acute cholecystitis and should be considered as a rare differential diagnosis of acute cholecystitis.