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Mit dieser Studie wurden die Prävalenz und der natürliche Langzeitverlauf von Gallenblasenpolypen an einem zufälligen Bevölkerungskollektiv untersucht. Material und Methoden: 413 Probanden (190 Frauen, 223 Männer; Alter 29-75 Jahre) wurden in den Jahren 2002 und 2013 mittels eines standardisierten Fragebogens und einer Abdomensonografie untersucht sowie ihre anthropometrischen Daten erhoben. Ergebnisse: Die Gallenblasenpolypenprävalenz betrug bei der initialen Untersuchung 2002 6,1% (115/1880), bei der Nachuntersuchung 2013 12,1% (50/413). Im Follow-up hatten nach elf Jahren 36 Probanden (8,7%, 36/413) neue Polypen entwickelt, 13 Probanden (48,1%, 13/27) wiesen keine Gallenblasenpolypen mehr auf und 14 Probanden (51,9%, 14/27) hatten weiterhin Polypen. Bei sechs Probanden (43%, 6/14) nahm die Polypenanzahl zu, bei weiteren sechs Probanden (43%, 6/14) nahm die Polypenanzahl ab und bei zwei Probanden (14%, 2/14) blieb die Anzahl unverändert. Die mittlere Polypengröße betrug im Jahr 2002 4,7 mm (± 2,2 mm, Range 2-20 mm) und im Follow-up 4,0 mm (± 1,9 mm, Range 0,5-11 mm). Eine Größenabnahme wurde bei sieben von 14 Probanden (50%) beobachtet, eine Größenzunahme bei fünf Probanden (35,7%) und gleichbleibende Polypengrößen bei zwei Probanden (14,3%). Bei zwei Probanden (14,3%, 2/14) änderte sich die Polypenform von gestielt zu breitbasig, bei einem Probanden (7,1%, 1/14) von breitbasig zu gestielt. Schlussfolgerung: Im Langzeitverlauf zeigte sich eine Zunahme der Gallenblasenpolypenprävalenz. 8,7% der Probanden hatten neue Gallenblasenpolypen entwickelt, eine Persistenz der Polypen konnte bei 51,9% und ein Verschwinden bei 48,1% der Probanden nachgewiesen werden.

Due to the high prevalence of clinically suspected cholecystitis or cholecystolithiasis the gallbladder is one of the organs examined the most by imaging.In most clinical settings ultrasound is the primary imaging method because of its wide availability, speed and superior spatial resolution. In cases of ambiguous findings or potential complications computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are used.When specific problems arise these imaging modalities may be enhanced by special techniques, e. g. contrast-enhanced ultrasound or dual-energy CT, and specific MRI sequences.Special variants of cholecystitis, such as xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis and adenomyomatosis, may pose a particularly difficult diagnostic problem as they may resemble other diseases. Sequelae of cholecystolithiasis, such as the Mirizzi syndrome and acute bowel obstruction, may complicate the imaging algorithm as the location and the symptoms shift. Cases of neoplastic diseases of gallbladder cancer and other malignancies require a broad spectrum of imaging modalities.Although the gallbladder can easily be examined with ultrasound, some cases require a more thorough ultrasound examination. In some cases only a combination of multiple imaging modalities yield the diagnosis. Further developments regarding technical issues and the diagnostic algorithm can be expected.Ultrasound is the best first imaging modality. In cases of ambiguous findings or clinical complications CT or MRI are recommended.

In this review article important and frequently used investigation methods for gastrointestinal functional diagnostics are presented. Some other rarely used special investigations are also explained. The hydrogen breath test is simple to carry out, ubiquitously available and enables the detection of lactose, fructose and sorbitol malabsorption. Furthermore, by the application of glucose, the test can be carried out when there is a suspicion of abnormal intestinal bacterial colonization and using lactulose for measuring small intestinal transit time. The

The reported incidence rate of bile duct injury (BDI) during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is 0.3%. However, routine use of intraoperative cholangiography (IOC) is a controversial, due to the additional cost and radiation exposure. The aim of this study was to assess the application of fluorescence cholangiography (FC) in comparison to IOC and to LC without any intraoperative imaging.This prospective study included 230 patients undergoing LC in our institution. The subjects were divided into two groups. In the first group, with 170 patients, both FC and IOC were performed following a standardised protocol. In second group, with 60 patients, FC was compared to LC without any intraoperative imaging. The data were then analysed with respect to procedure time and identification of predefined anatomical structures.The mean age and body mass index in the first group were 54.4 ± 15.7 years and 27.9 ± 5.7 kg/m², respectively. The mean operative time was 67.6 ± 23.3 min. FC was performed more rapidly than IOC (1.5 ± 0.9 vs.7.3 ± 5.0 min) and visualised the cystic duct (DC) in 67.5% of patients and the common bile duct (DHC) in 66.2% of patients before dissection of Calot's triangle. During dissection, DC and DHC were detected in 95.9% and 71.2% of patients, respectively. BMI 25 kg/m² and male gender significantly reduced the identification rate of DC before dissection of Calot's triangle. Bile leakage from the liver bed after cholecystectomy was found in 3 cases (1.8%) by FC. In 2 patients (1.2%), IOC visualised the DC joining directly to the right hepatic duct. In 1 of these 2 cases (0.6%), the anatomical variation was identified first by FC. Intraductal filling defects were detected in 9 patients (5.3%) using IOC, compared to 1 patient (0.6%) using FC. In the second group, the visualisation rates of DC and DHC were 80.0 and 53.3%, respectively, with FC and 60.0 and 43.3%, respectively, during LC without any imaging. Surgeons confirmed an increase in safety in 70.0% of patients using FC.FC is a simple procedure for non-invasive real-time visualisation of bile duct anatomy during LC. Earlier identification of biliary anomalies and bile leakage increases the operative safety and enables immediate care. In obese patients, FC has limited validity.Die Inzidenzrate einer Gallengangverletzung (BDI) im Rahmen einer laparoskopischen Cholezystektomie (LC) beträgt 0,3%. Eine routinemäßige Anwendung der intraoperativen Röntgencholangiografie (IOC) wird jedoch aufgrund der zusätzlichen Kosten und der Strahlenbelastung kontrovers diskutiert. Ziel dieser Studie war die klinische Evaluation der Fluoreszenzcholangiografie (FC).Die vorliegende prospektive Studie umfasste 230 Patienten, die sich einer LC unterzogen haben. 170 Patienten erhielten sowohl eine FC als auch eine IOC entsprechend einem standardisierten Protokoll. In weiteren 60 Fällen wurden die Ergebnisse der FC mit einer LC ohne eine simultane Cholangiografie verglichen. Anschließend erfolgte die Analyse der Daten hinsichtlich des zeitlichen Aufwands und der Identifikation von biliären Strukturen.Das Durchschnittsalter und der Durchschnitts-BMI betrugen 54,4 ± 15,7 Jahre und 27,9 ± 5,7 kg/m² bei einer mittleren Operationszeit von 67,6 ± 23,3 min. Der zeitliche Aufwand der FC war dabei deutlich geringer als derjenige der IOC (1,5 ± 0,9 vs.7,3 ± 5,0 min). Die Detektionsraten für Ductus cysticus (DC) sowie Ductus hepaticus communis (DHC) im Rahmen einer FC betrugen vor Dissektion am Calot-Dreieck 67,5 bzw. 66,2% und währenddessen 95,9 bzw. 71,2%. Ein BMI 25 kg/m² und männliches Geschlecht reduzierten signifikant die Darstellbarkeit der Strukturen. Der Nachweis einer galligen Sekretion aus dem Gallenblasenbett gelang in 3 Fällen (1,8%) durch eine FC. In 2 Fällen (1,2%) wurde der Abgang des DC aus dem Ductus hepaticus dexter durch IOC dargestellt und in einem Fall (0,6%) bereits durch FC beschrieben. Intraduktale Aussparungen ließen sich bei 9 Patienten (5,3%) mithilfe einer IOC und bei einem Patienten (0,6%) durch eine FC nachweisen. Bei Verzicht auf eine zusätzliche intraoperative Diagnostik betrugen die Detektionsraten von DC und DHC60,0 bzw. 43,3%, mithilfe einer FC80,0 bzw. 53,3%. Dementsprechend bestätigten die Operateure in 70,0% der Fälle eine Erhöhung der operativen Sicherheit durch eine FC.Die FC ist eine einfache, nicht invasive Methode zur Echtzeitdarstellung der Gallengangsanatomie während einer LC. Eine schnelle Identifizierung von anatomischen Normvarianten und galliger Sekretion aus dem Gallenblasenbett erhöht die operative Sicherheit und ermöglicht die simultane Versorgung. Bei Vorliegen einer intraabdominalen Adipositas besitzt die Untersuchung eine limitierte Aussagekraft.

Abdominal ultrasound is a common diagnostic procedure in internal medicine. The correct interpretation of incidental findings can be difficult at times and often results in expensive and sometimes invasive follow-up examinations. Therefore, detailed knowledge of incidental findings on abdominal ultrasound is of utmost clinical and economical importance. Incidental findings are often benign, however, an accurate evaluation and correct diagnosis is crucial for the subsequent clinical management. To this end B-mode ultrasonography is complemented by color flow Doppler sonography and contrast-enhanced ultrasonography to add dynamic information on blood flow and vessel formation. This article presents frequent incidental findings of the major abdominal organs and vessels, and describes the sonographic and clinical management to find the correct diagnosis.

Acute acalculous cholecystitis (AAC) represents a severe disease in critically ill patients. The pathogenesis of acute necroinflammatory gallbladder disease is multifactorial and intensive care unit (ICU) patients show multiple risk factors. In addition AAC is difficult to diagnose because of the vague physical and non-specific technical findings. Only the combination of clinical and technical findings including the challenging physical examination of critically ill patients, laboratory results and ultrasound or computed tomography (CT) scan, will lead to the diagnosis. The condition of AAC has a rapid progress to gallbladder necrosis, gangrene and perforation and these complications are reflected in the high morbidity and mortality rates, therefore, therapy should be promptly initiated. If there are no clinical contraindications for an operative approach cholecystectomy is the definitive treatment and both open and laparoscopic procedures have been used. In unstable, critically ill patients percutaneous cholecystostomy should be immediately performed. In addition, transpapillary endoscopic drainage is also possible if there are contraindications for percutaneous cholecystostomy. Patients who fail to improve or deteriorate following interventional drainage should be reconsidered for cholecystectomy. Due to the fact that more than 90 % of patients treated with percutaneous cholecystostomy showed no recurrence of symptoms during a period of more than 1 year, it is still unclear if percutaneous cholecystostomy is the definitive treatment of AAC for unstable patients or if delayed cholecystectomy is still necessary.

Im Rahmen der 2002 in Leutkirch durchgeführten EMIL-Studie, einer bevölkerungsbasierten Querschnittsstudie, wurden Prävalenz und mögliche Einflussfaktoren von Gallenblasenpolypen in einer städtischen Bevölkerung untersucht. Die zufällige Bevölkerungsstichprobe umfasste 2445 Probanden (1265 Frauen, 1180 Männer; Alter 10 bis 65 Jahre), die mittels standardisiertem Fragebogen, Blutabnahme und Abdomensonographie untersucht wurden. Die Prävalenz von Gallenblasenpolypen betrug im Erwachsenenkollektiv 6,1% (128/2099). Männer und Frauen waren etwa gleich häufig betroffen. Hinsichtlich des Alters fanden sich die Polypen am häufigsten unter den 51 bis 65-Jährigen. Die mittlere Polypengröße betrug 4,7 mm (SD ± 2,2 mm; Range 2 - 20 mm). Die allermeisten Polypen (94,5%) waren 7 mm oder kleiner. Frauen hatten im Durchschnitt größere Polypen (5,1 mm ± 2,7) als Männer (4,3 mm ± 1,4). Bezogen auf das Alter fanden sich die größten Polypen (5,5 mm ± 3,8) bei den 18 bis 30-Jährigen. Hinsichtlich der Anzahl war der Befund eines solitären Polypen mit 52,4% am häufigsten. Die Polypen wurden in allen dokumentierten Fällen als echoreich beschrieben. Bezüglich der Form lagen meistens (82,3%) gestielte Polypen vor; bei 11,3% der Probanden, häufiger bei Männern als bei Frauen, stellten sich die Polypen sonographisch breitbasig dar. Potenzielle Einflussfaktoren wie Alter, männliches Geschlecht, Body-Mass-Index, ein bekannter Diabetes mellitus sowie Alkohol-, Nikotin- und Koffeinkonsum wurden im multiplen logistischen Regressionsmodell untersucht. Es konnte jedoch kein Einfluss der genannten Variablen auf das Auftreten von Gallenblasenpolypen gezeigt werden.

The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of gallbladder polyps and possible risk factors in a random population sample of an urban population.A total of 2099 subjects (1072 women, 1027 men; aged 19 - 65 years, mean age 42.1 (SD ± 12.8 years) were prospectively examined using ultrasound, a standardized questionnaire and laboratory studies.Gallbladder polyps were identified in 6.1 % (128 / 2099) of all subjects (women: 6.1 % [63 / 1027]); men: 6.1 % [65 / 1072]). Solitary polyps were found in 52.4 % (65 / 124), two polyps in 16.1 % (20 / 124), three polyps in 6.5 % (8 / 124), several polyps in 22.6 % (28 / 124) and multiple polyps in 2.4 % (3 / 124) of subjects. The mean polyp diameter was 4.7 mm (SD ± 2.2; range 2 - 20 mm). The polyp diameter was ≤ 7 mm in 94.5 % of subjects. The polyps were described as pedunculate in 82.3 % (102 / 124). The polyps were broad-based in 11.3 % of subjects (14 / 124; men: 18 % women: 4.8 %). The polyps were homogeneously echogenic in 100 % of cases and with irregular contours in only one male subject. Multiple logistic regression failed to demonstrate an influence on the increased occurrence of gallbladder polyps for the risk factors of male sex, age, body-mass index (BMI), alcohol, nicotine or caffeine consumption or diabetes mellitus.The prevalence of gallbladder polyps reported in the present study (6.1 %) is higher than figures previously published for populations in Germany or Europe. The majority of polyps were pedunculate and solitary. A typical risk factor profile for gallbladder polyps could not be identified in the present population sample.

Acute gastrointestinal bleeding is one of the most frequent medical emergencies. The most common causes are inflammations, ulcers, neoplasms and angiodysplasias. They can usually be diagnosed and treated via endoscopy, but less frequent causes, which require increased diagnostic and therapeutic efforts, must also be considered. We present the case of a 53-year-old patient with gastrointestinal bleeding. He was diagnosed with transverse colon bleeding in another hospital. A bleeding diverticulum was assumed. Following admission to our hospital, a bleeding through the ampulla of Vater was discovered via gastroscopy. The CT scan showed arterial bleeding into the gallbladder. We immediately performed a laparotomy and found a cholecysto-colic fistula as the cause of the bleeding into the transverse colon.

Gallstone ileus is a rare complication of cholelithiasis and an uncommon cause of intestinal obstruction. It accounts for about 1-4% of all mechanical bowel obstructions. The clinical symptoms and signs of gallstone ileus are mostly nonspecific.An 82-year-old woman with recurrent diverticulitis of the sigmoid was admitted because of cramping right upper abdominal pain and signs of large bowel obstruction. Abdominal ultrasound revealed pneumobilia and severe diverticulitis of the sigmoid with signs of ileus. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography visualized the cholecystoenteric fistula. In addition, computed tomography (CT) scan revealed two stones 3 cm in diameter leading to nearly complete obstruction of the sigmoid. The patient underwent an open cholecystectomy, closure of the cholecystoenteric fistula, and sigmoidectomy.This case report demonstrates that relative stenoses of the sigmoid due to recurrent diverticulitis may predispose to the impaction of foreign bodies. Gallstone ileus is a rare but important differential diagnosis of intestinal obstruction. Ultrasound and CT scans are very helpful in diagnosing gallstone ileus. The treatment is surgical. Unfortunately, surgical therapy of this rare complication is associated with a high morbidity and mortality rate due to multiple comorbidities and age-related problems of these patients. The management of patients with gallstone ileus should be individualized.

Bei hamodynamisch stabilen Patienten mit Lebertrauma stellt das nichtoperative Management derzeitig die Standardtherapie dar. Die Erfolgsrate dieser Behandlungsform betragt uber 80%. Bei hamodynamischer Instabilitat oder hohergradigen Leberverletzungen ist in den meisten Fallen jedoch eine chirurgisch-operative Intervention erforderlich. Bei der nichtoperativen Therapie von Leberverletzungen steht die intensivmedizinische Uberwachung der Patienten im Vordergrund. Wiederholt durchgefuhrte bildgebende Untersuchungen im Verlauf sind lediglich bei hohergradigen Verletzungen und im Fall von Komplikationen erforderlich. Zur Vermeidung von Operationen kommen zur Behandlung von Gallenwegskomplikationen die endoskopisch-retrograde Cholangiopankreotikographie und bei Gefaskomplikationen radiologisch-interventionelle Verfahren wie die Angiographie zunehmend zum Einsatz. Die Erfolgsraten der nichtoperativen Therapie konnte insgesamt so uber die letzten Jahrzehnte kontinuierlich verbessert werden.

OBJECTIVES: The objective of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of gallbladder stone disease in a collective of obese children and adolescents and to assess the role of potential influencing factors such as the degree of obesity, sex, age, and pubertal development. METHODS: Four hundred ninety-three obese children and adolescents (body mass index standard deviation score [BMI-SDS] > 2.0p) aged 8 to 19 years (218 males, 275 females) were included in the study and underwent ultrasound for detection of gallbladder stone disease. RESULTS: Gallbladder stones were detected in 10 of 493 (2.0%; 8 girls, 2 boys) subjects studied. None of the 95 prepubertal children examined were found to suffer from GD. Patients with gallbladder stone disease were more severely obese (BMI-SDS 3.4 +/- 0.5 vs. 2.7 +/- 0.4; P < 0.001) and older (16.1 +/- 1.5 vs.13.9 +/- 2.0 years; P < 0.008) than children and adolescents without gallbladder stone disease. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with published data for unselected children an adolescents, the prevalence of gallbladder stone disease (2.0%) in obese children and adolescents, previously treated with diet for obesity, is high. Obesity and female sex appear even in children and adolescents to be risk factors for the development of gallbladder stone disease. The occurrence of prepubertal gallbladder stone disease is rare.

The expanding use of ultrasound in general practice is leading to an ever increasing rate of detection of true hepatic incidentaloma. The correct diagnosis of hepatic incidentaloma may be made in over 90% with non-invasive means. The questionable diagnosis of "symptomatic" incidentaloma should undergo close scrutiny prior to a decision in favour of surgery. With regard to more recent literature, the former "absolute" requirement for surgical resection in all cases of liver cell adenoma may have to be reappraised. Final inability to rule out malignancy represents an unquestionable indication for surgery in the light of low rates of morbidity and lack of mortality in this otherwise healthy patient group. Percutaneous biopsies should not be performed due to oncological hazards, indeterminate results and potential for acute complications.The stage-oriented radical re-resection following diagnosis of an incidentally detected gallbladder cancer may lead to significantly improved long-term survival, especially in the early tumour stages T1b and T2, which represents the most common stage of gallbladder cancer in incidentaloma. Patients at elevated risk for incidental gallbladder cancer should undergo thorough instruction with regard to the potential hazards of laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Multimodal therapeutic strategies directed at advanced stages of incidentally detected gallbladder cancer should be evaluated in prospective multicentre studies.

A 76-year-old woman with known dementia was admitted to hospital for postprandial vomiting and increasing upper abdominal pain for 2 days. Gallstones and a chronic cholecystitis had been previously documented.Laboratory tests revealed slight hypochromic anemia (Hb 10.6 g/dl) and an increase in gammaGT (439 U/l) and AP (277 U/l) with a normal bilirubin. The gall bladder was very small sonographically, compared to an examination 6 months earlier. Furthermore, there was a marked aerobilia in the peripheral bile ducts.Bouveret;s syndrome, with a 6 cm concrement in the duodenal bulb, was suspected at the initial ultrasound examination and confirmed by endoscopy and radiology. TREATMENT AND FOLLOW-UP: When the patient was operated the following day, a chronically inflamed gall bladder with perforation into the duodenum was found, but no concrement in the duodenal bulb. The operative field was extended and revealed a distal small bowel obstruction caused by an incarcerated stone at the ileocecal valve. The concrement was removed and a cholecystectomy with closure of the fistula performed. However, 8 days later the patient died from multiorgan failure.This was a rare case of a "classical" Bouveret's syndrome that spontaneously changed into a distal small bowel obstruction by gall stones. In an appropriate clinical setting, this condition can be diagnosed by a simple abdominal ultrasound examination.

Ectopic pancreas is a rare entity but the second most prevalent pancreatic anomaly. Heterotopic pancreas is defined as the presence of pancreatic tissue without any anatomic or vascular continuity with the main body of the pancreas. Its aetiology is not clearly established. In 1916, Poppi published for the first time evidence of heterotopic pancreas in the gallbladder. A review of the literature up to the present showed only 28 more cases worldwide of ectopic pancreas in the gallbladder. Aberrant pancreas is incidentally discovered in 2% of autopsies and has been estimated to occur once in every 500 upper abdominal explorations. Ninety per cent of ectopic pancreas is found in the stomach, duodenum, and jejunum. Mostly it is asymptomatic and benign. For this reason, therapy is indicated only in patients with symptoms such as pyloric obstruction, bleeding, and malignant transformation. Surgical resection or endoscopic mucosal resection as a newer method are recommended.

The complete rotation of the gall bladder followed by acute inflammation is a very rare and dangerous event. Volvulus of the gall bladder almost seems to be caused by an abnormal motility of this organ. Because of the rarity of this disease, the preoperative diagnosis frequently is correct. With this report of three cases who had laparoscopic or conventional surgery within a period of 7 years at our department, the peculiarity of this disease is demonstrated.

Cholelithiasis is the most common affliction of the gallbladder and biliary tract. Including its complications, gallstone disease represents the basis for cholecystitis and cholangitis in the majority of cases. Inflammatory diseases of the biliary system are divided into acute and chronic forms originating from the gallbladder as well as from the biliary tract. Although acute calculous cholecystitis is the most common form, gangrenous, and emphysematous inflammation of the gallbladder as well as gallbladder empyema are included in this group of diseases. In the chronic forms, calculous and acalculous inflammation is also differentiated. Recent developments in cross-sectional imaging in sonography, computed tomography, and magnetic resonance imaging offer numerous tools for depicting the biliary system with high diagnostic accuracy. Invasive imaging modalities of the biliary system are mainly used for therapeutic aspects.

Only 10 years after the introduction of laparoscopic cholecystectomy in 1986 this method has become the "gold-standard" in the treatment of uncomplicated and complicated gallbladder disease. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was so successfull, that it became the trendsetter in minimal-invasive surgery leading to revolutionary changes in all fields of surgery. Although nowadays self-evident, minimal-invasive surgery passed through a protracted and hindrance history of development. In this article we will review the history of laparoscopy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy and discuss its influence in the development of minimal-invasive surgery.

We report a case of gall bladder tuberculosis in a 64-year-old male. The gall bladder is an extremely rare localization of an infectious disease seen frequently worldwide--tuberculosis. The reason for this special resistance against the mycobacteria is not clear and is controversial. In imaging, the disease can mimic acute or chronic cholecystitis or carcinoma of the gall bladder. It is important to consider tuberculous cholecystitis in differential diagnosis and to do tuberculin skin tests in case of suspicion. This test is technically easy and cost-effective. Since 1968, isolated tuberculosis of the gall bladder has not been reported in western civilization. This case study was done because of the rareness of the disease,and we review the literature on this topic.

In elderly patients with gallstone disease, a gallstone ileus must be considered for unexplained abdominal pain. This is demonstrated in the following case report.A 75-year-old female patient presented with a 72-hour history of abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. The patient's abdomen was mildly distended, although soft and nontender with bowel sounds present. Plain radiographs and ultrasound investigation of the abdomen were compatible with small bowel obstruction. To clarify the etiology, an abdominal computed tomography scan was obtained. These examinations disclosed air in the biliary tree, dilated small bowel and an impacted intraluminal abnormality in the terminal ileum compatible with a gallstone. Operative intervention confirmed the presence of a 3 cm obstructing calculus in the terminal ileum that was removed by an enterolithotomy. A two-step cholecystectomy and closure of the cholecystoduodenal fistula were performed 8 weeks later. The patient's recovery was uneventful.Although rare in a general population, gallstone ileus accounts for 25% of nonstrangulated small bowel obstructions in patients over the age of 65. The radiographic picture and ultrasound of small bowel obstruction and the presence of air in the biliary tree are suggestive for the diagnosis of a gallstone ileus. In our patient, the computed tomography and ultrasound findings confirmed the diagnosis and led to a prompt and directed surgical intervention. In patients with comorbid factors a two-step approach with enterolithotomy in a first and cholecystectomy in a second operation should be the therapeutic strategy of choice.

The laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the most used minimally invasive surgical technique. Seventy-five percent of all gallstone diseases are actually treated by this procedure, as proved by an impressive comparison of Swiss, Austrian and German data. More than 265,000 cholecystectomies are analyzed. Twelve percent of all operations are performed in an acute situation, intraoperative complications are found in 1%; the postoperative complications is 5%. The lethality in all countries is between 0.1 and 0.2%.

We report on a 79-year-old woman patient with a tumor with a diameter of 18 cm in the right flank. The medical history of the patient was normal except for a single asymptomatic gallstone, which had been known since 12 years. Sonography and abdominal CT showed an enormous intra-abdominal mass filled with liquid with a permanent union with the gallbladder. We than performed an explorative laparotomy with a tumor resection and a cholecystectomy. The histological examination showed perforation of the gallbladder with a great pseudocyst filled with 1800 ml infected bile and with penetration through the abdominal wall.

The low threshold for sonographic examinations of the gallbladder, the relative high incidence of gall bladder disease and the extraordinary quality of ultrasound imaging leads to a remarkable number of chance findings. The image quality of new ultrasound scanners allows in most cases a rapid diagnostic decision. Therapeutic consequences depend in the first line on the following carefully directed anamnesis. The most common findings are gallstones, cholesterinosis, polyps and sludge. Rare but important findings are porcelain gallbladder, adenomyomatosis and cysts of the common bile duct.

The results of a prospective study of 188 choledochoduodenostomies, 51 choledocho-jejunostomies, and 114 transduodenal papillotomies in patients with benign diseases are presented. The operations were performed between 1974 and 1997. The status of the patients was checked every one to two years. During the same time period a total of 5128 patients with benign disorders of the gall bladder or biliary tract was operated upon. In consequence to the important progress of endoscopic diagnostic and therapeutic options indications and methods of biliary surgery have changed significantly. Open procedures at the choledochal duct, biliodigestive anastomoses, and transduodenal papillotomies are recently performed only in rare instances.

We report a rare case of spontaneously developing generalised gas gangrene with massive rhabdomyolysis after a cholecystectomy and drainage of a hepatic abscess. On preoperative physical examination the patient appeared severely ill and was icteric and oliguric. Laboratory evaluation showed signs of systemic inflammation, elevated lactate levels, evidence of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), and increased levels of serum creatine kinase (CK) activity. Abdominal ultrasound and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography showed a gallbladder perforation and a hepatic abscess. Cholecystectomy and drainage of the abscess was performed immediately and without technical problems. After postoperative admission to the intensive care unit, the patient showed evidence of generalised myonecrosis with subcutaneous gas formation and acute renal failure. Initially, there were few other signs of systemic toxicity; the patient was not hypotensive and the pulmonary gas exchange was normal. Within hours diffuse swelling of his right leg developed with cutaneous gangrene and a compartment syndrome. After fasciectomy and extensive surgical debridement, uncontrollable bleeding due to DIC developed from the fasciectomy site, which finally required exarticulation of the leg at the hip joint. At this point, multiple organ failure including severe adult respiratory distress syndrome was present. Two days after cholecystectomy, the patient died from hypoxic cardiocirculatory failure. Clostridium perfringens was repeatedly isolated from the wounds. Besides gas gangrene, the differential diagnosis of such infections includes localised clostridial cellulitis, nonclostridial anaerobic cellulitis caused by mixed aerobes and anaerobes, and type I or type II necrotising fasciitis. Patients with systemic necrotising infections should be treated with broad-spectrum antimicrobial regimens (penicillin G, 3rd generation cephalosporins, clindamycin, and aminoglycosides). An otherwise unexplained elevation of serum CK activity in the presence of acute cholecystitis may suggest haematologic spread of an aggressive myolytic agent and the beginning of myonecrosis. This should prompt immediate surgical exploration after establishing broad-spectrum antibiotic coverage. The role of hyperbaric oxygen treatment in this situation remains to be established. If hyperbaric oxygen is to be employed, it should neither delay surgical exploration nor jeopardize the patient with the hazards of an interhospital transport.

From the surgical point of view acute abdominal pain is the cardinal symptom of acute abdomen. Additional leading symptoms of acute abdomen are tension of the abdominal wall, peristaltic disorders and, in rare cases, shock symptoms. Acute abdomen is an operational diagnosis for painful, in part life threatening diseases of various etiologies. The most frequent cause is acute appendicitis, followed by cholecystitis and by diverse forms of ileus. These three diseases together are the cause of acute abdomen in more than 80% of cases. Over 90% of cases with acute abdomen are treated surgically. The decision in favour of a surgical intervention must be determined within minutes to hours depending on the etiology. A delay may lead to further, partly most serious sequelae.

Evaluation of utility and value of a selective projection technique for bile and pancreatic ducts in MRI.200 patient examinations of the pancreaticobiliary duct system using a turbo-SE pulse sequence in "single-shot" technique were evaluated in retrospect concerning anatomic display and diagnostic accuracy compared to surgery, ERCP, i.v. cholangiography, ultrasound and clinical course.Non-dilated ducts allowed visualisation of gallbladders in 78%, common bile ducts in 97%, cystic ducts in 80%, intrahepatic main ducts in 71% and pancreatic main ducts in 69%. When dilatation was present, all common bile, intrahepatic main and pancreatic ducts were visible. Display of cystic ducts and gallbladders with a detection rate of 69 and 85%, respectively, did not improve. Sensitivities for diagnosing papillary stenoses (n = 6), pancreatic ductal stenoses and dilatation (n = 13), compressions and dilatations of the biliary tree (n = 33) as well as for one choledochal cyst were 100%. Choledocholithiasis could correctly be predicted in 11/15 cases (73%), cholecystolithiasis in 71/120 cases (59%)."Single-shot" MR-cholangiopancreatography is a fast and non-invasive modality which can replace i.v. cholangiography and restrict the indication for ERCP to therapeutic indications and problem cases.