Point of care ultrasound in rapid diagnosis of acute cholangitis and emphysematous cholecystitis: a case report
Dublin Core
Title
Point of care ultrasound in rapid diagnosis of acute cholangitis and emphysematous cholecystitis: a case report
Subject
Emphysematous cholecystitis, Champagne sign, Point of care ultrasound, Cholangitis, Gas
Description
Abstract
Background Emphysematous cholecystitis is a rare and rapidly progressive disease that requires prompt diagnosis
and intervention. Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is a useful diagnostic imaging tool in the emergency department
that can help expedite diagnosis and management of biliary etiology.
Case presentation In our case, we describe an 85 year old female with a history of diabetes mellitus with a
presentation consistent with undifferentiated cholecystitis. Point of care ultrasound performed in the emergency
department showed a characteristic “champagne sign”, along with other findings including dilated common bile
duct and pericholecystic fluid. These findings ultimately led to the diagnosis of emphysematous cholecystitis and
acute cholangitis. The use of ultrasound expedited the patient’s cholecystostomy tube placement and subsequent
endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, proving to be a life-saving tool in the management of this patient.
Conclusion POCUS can be an important tool for the diagnosis of undifferentiated biliary etiology, expediting the
management of these patients.
Keywords Emphysematous cholecystitis, Champagne sign, Point of care ultrasound, Cholangitis, Gas
Background Emphysematous cholecystitis is a rare and rapidly progressive disease that requires prompt diagnosis
and intervention. Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is a useful diagnostic imaging tool in the emergency department
that can help expedite diagnosis and management of biliary etiology.
Case presentation In our case, we describe an 85 year old female with a history of diabetes mellitus with a
presentation consistent with undifferentiated cholecystitis. Point of care ultrasound performed in the emergency
department showed a characteristic “champagne sign”, along with other findings including dilated common bile
duct and pericholecystic fluid. These findings ultimately led to the diagnosis of emphysematous cholecystitis and
acute cholangitis. The use of ultrasound expedited the patient’s cholecystostomy tube placement and subsequent
endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, proving to be a life-saving tool in the management of this patient.
Conclusion POCUS can be an important tool for the diagnosis of undifferentiated biliary etiology, expediting the
management of these patients.
Keywords Emphysematous cholecystitis, Champagne sign, Point of care ultrasound, Cholangitis, Gas
Creator
Min Seok Chae1* and Olga A. Kravchuk1
Source
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12245-025-00823-5
Date
2025
Contributor
Peri Irawan
Format
pdf
Language
englsih
Type
text
Files
Collection
Citation
Min Seok Chae1* and Olga A. Kravchuk1, “Point of care ultrasound in rapid diagnosis of acute cholangitis and emphysematous cholecystitis: a case report,” Repository Horizon University Indonesia, accessed April 26, 2026, https://repository.horizon.ac.id/items/show/12648.