Abstract

Rory P. Thompson, David Hamilton and Darren J. Porter*

ABSTRACT

Acute appendicitis and acute cholecystitis are two of the most common surgical pathologies presenting to the acute surgical service. There is a theorised association due to pathogen predilection for both the gallbladder and appendix, coupled with bacterial transfer from the gallbladder following increased cholestasis, or invasion of the portal venous system by pathological appendiceal organisms. In this case review series we present two cases of synchronous presentation of acute appendicitis and cholecystitis. We describe the clinical presentation, the investigation and management of these cases and undertake a literature review of this interesting but rarely reported dual pathology.