Cholelithiasis and cholecystitis in pre‐Columbian Chileans

Abstract

Two cases of gallbladder disease found in Chilean mummies are presented. The cholesterol gallstones in these cases produced in one individual a localized peritonitis and in the other a probable duct obstruction. No cases of this disease have been seen in Peruvian mummies while in Chile it seems quite common, suggesting some environmental factor in the etiology. Copyright © 1978 Wiley‐Liss, Inc., A Wiley Company