Hepato-biliary Pathology: Gallbladder: Empyema

A 1927 autopsy specimen from a 67 year old man admitted with subcostal pain and a swelling in the right hypochondrium. For three years prior to admission he had experienced attacks of nausea and right-sided abdominal discomfort. On admission, he was found to have a superficially placed tender mass projecting below the right costal margin, this was dull on percussion and opaque of x0rays. At operation the gallbladder was found to contain 6 ounces of purulent fluid. Cholecystectomy was performed and subsequent recovery was uneventful.