Waltman Walter syndrome

Waltman Walters syndrome^[1] is characterized by accumulation of bile in the right subphrenic or subhepatic space, even when provision for drainage appears to have been adequate after a cholecystectomy. It is named for Dr. Waltman Walters, an abdominal surgeon at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN.

Symptoms and signs[]

Upper abdominal or chest pain associated with tachycardia and persistently low blood pressure due to compression on IVC are cardinal signs and are mistaken for coronary thrombosis.

Diagnosis[]

Ultrasonography will show collection in subphrenic or subhepatic space.

Treatment[]

Abdominal reexploration and drainage of bile is curative.

References[]