Calcified gallstone in a 3 year-old boy: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Gallstones are relatively rare in children. At-risk populations include patients suffering from hemolysis syndromes. Regardless of etiology, these patients usually will present with postprandial abdominal pain, and ultrasonography is...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Barthel Erik R, Pierce James R, Zmora Osnat, Harlan Susan R, Russell Sudha, Shin Cathy
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2012-08-01
Series:BMC Research Notes
Online Access:http://www.biomedcentral.com/1756-0500/5/433
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Summary:<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Gallstones are relatively rare in children. At-risk populations include patients suffering from hemolysis syndromes. Regardless of etiology, these patients usually will present with postprandial abdominal pain, and ultrasonography is the mainstay of diagnosis. However, some gallstones are radiopaque and can be visualized on plain abdominal radiography.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present the uncommon but classic plain x-ray finding of a calcified gallstone in a 3 year-old Hispanic boy. He was treated with elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Cholelithiasis is rare in children, and calcified stones that will appear on plain abdominal x-rays are even rarer. If symptomatic, cholecystectomy by a pediatric surgeon is the treatment of choice. We discuss some of the recent developments in treatment of this condition in this patient population.</p>
ISSN:1756-0500