MediAI

  Keywords: Emphysematous cholecystitis, gallbladder infection, gas-forming bacteria, Clostridium perfringens, abdominal CT, acute cholecystitis, gallbladder gas, radiologic diagnosis, surgical management, diabetic patient Introduction Emphysematous cholecystitis (EC) represents a severe and potentially fatal variant of acute cholecystitis characterized by gas formation within the gallbladder wall, lumen, or biliary ducts. This life-threatening infection is predominantly caused by gas-forming organisms, primarily Clostridium perfringens and Escherichia coli , and is associated with high morbidity and mortality if not promptly diagnosed and managed. It most commonly occurs in elderly diabetic males with vascular compromise or underlying comorbidities such as hypertension and ischemic heart disease. The following case and review synthesize the clinical presentation, imaging findings, and evidence-based management of EC, drawing from both a documented case and the latest global l...