Gallbladder perforation in a patient on steroid therapy.

Gallbladder perforation is a serious clinical condition. A definitive diagnosis is contentious before surgery. We discuss a case where a young patient with Crohn's disease taking oral steroids presented with an acute abdomen. CT scan demonstrated a perforated gallbladder without evidence of gallstones. The patient underwent an emergency cholecystectomy and peritoneal lavage. The history and clinical findings of this patient are reviewed to highlight perforation of the gallbladder in relation to steroid therapy.