EMPYEMA WITH GIANT DILATATION OF THE GALLBLADDER Empiema com dilatação gigante da vesícula biliar

Introduction - Gallbladder empyema is a serious complication of acute cholecystitis being peritonitis and sepsis its main clinical consequences. Organ giant volume is rare specially with no relevant symptoms. Case report - Man 56-year-old with mild abdominal pain on the right hypochondrium, palpable gallbladder and ultrasound images revealing cholelithiasis. At surgery, there was a giant dilatation of the gallbladder with 580 mL of purulent bile. Cholecystectomy was carried out without post-operative complications. Conclusion - Early cholecystectomy should always be realized in patients presenting symptoms of gallbladder empyema no matter the size of it. HEADINGS - Empyema of the gallbladder. Cholecystectomy. Surgery.