Acute Hemorrhagic Cholecystitis with Large Hemoperitoneum: Treatment with Microcoil Embolization and Subsequent Cholecystectomy

Abstract

Hemorrhagic cholecystitis is a potentially deadly and difficult to recognize entity. It is associated with cystic artery pseudoaneurysm and is usually seen in the setting of acute calculous cholecystitis. We report two cases of hemorrhagic cholecystitis with arteriographic findings of cystic artery pseudoaneurysms that were successfully embolized using microcoils, facilitating subsequent cholecystectomy. Both cases had unusual presentations of gallbladder rupture with hemoperitoneum, the latter of which was atypical occurring in the absence of gallstones. We believe when hemorrhagic cholecystitis is suspected, a two-step therapeutic approach should be employed with embolization of the bleeding cystic artery followed by cholecystectomy. A comprehensive literature review and discussion of hemorrhagic cholecystitis will be provided.