Spurious cholecystitis in cases of congested liver (Russian)

Among 270 patients referred to the surgical department with a diagnosis of cholecystitis, the diagnosis was erroneous in 9 cases (3.3%), with the pain syndrome stemming from congested liver in cases of pneumosclerosis and of rheumatic mitral stenosis, from hypertensive disease and from thromboembolism of the pulmonary artery. If inadequately examined such patients may be erroneously subjected to laparotomy and cholecystectomy. For the purpose of differential diagnosis of right ventricular failure one should make use of diuretics, such as furosemide and etacrynic acid, as well as carry out roentgenologic investigations of the lungs.