Double pathology in acute cholecystitis.

Three cases are described in which there was concurrent development of acute cholecystitis and a second acute abdominal illness. Acute cholecystitis occurred in patients with acute appendicitis, small bowell obstruction, and acute colonic diverticulitis. Experience with three such cases over the course of eight years by a single surgeon suggests a possible aetiological link between the two diseases. It is suggested that, under some circumstances, exploration of an acute abdomen may need to be more than cursory.