Differential diagnosis of gallbladder opisthorchiasis and cholelithiasis in a teenager

Relevance. Parasitic invasions of the biliary tract, such as opisthorchiasis, are one of the significant causes of the formation of pigment calculi in the gallbladder, which is known in territories endemic for these diseases. However, visualization of the dynamics of the development of the pathological process using ultrasonography does not allow differentiating gall stones with a high degree of accuracy from the stages of development of the feline fluke. In the absence of an epidemiological history, this invasion can proceed under the guise of gallstone disease, which leads to an unjustified surgical intervention with the removal of a practically healthy gallbladder from a child. Before surgery, differentiation of calculi in the gallbladder from the stage of opisthorchiasis will significantly improve the quality of life of the child.

The aim of the study was to demonstrate a clinical case of opisthorchiasis invasion in a child in a non-endemic territory, proceeding under the guise of cholelithiasis.

Material and methods: the case history of a 17‑year-old girl with opistochiasis invasion is presented.

Discussion. Parasitic invasion (opisthorchiasis) caused the formation of «calculi» of the gallbladder in the child. Not every hyperechoic formation of the gallbladder with the presence of a sound track is a «calculus». Timely diagnosis of the cause of cholelithiasis is important, as well as timely treatment of parasitic invasion to avoid relapse of the disease and errors in treatment, including surgical treatment.

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