Gallbladder perforation: An uncommon cause of peritonitis in a child.

INTRODUCTION AND

IMPORTANCE

Gallbladder perforations are infrequently encountered in the pediatric group but can be a cause of peritonitis with significant morbidity and mortality if not diagnosed and managed promptly.

CASE PRESENTATION: We present a case of a 10-year-old female who presented with peritonitis due to a perforated gallbladder diagnosed by CT-scan. She was managed surgically successfully.

CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Gallbladder perforation due to cholecystitis is usually seen in the elderly population but is uncommon among the pediatric population. Mortality rate can be as high as 26 % hence early diagnosis is vital. Management is mostly surgical as seen in the index case.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians should keep gallbladder perforation in mind as a differential diagnosis of acute abdomen in children although uncommon.