Genetic evidence causally linking gastroesophageal reflux disease to cholecystitis: a two-sample mendelian randomization study.

BACKGROUND: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and cholecystitis share overlapping symptoms, including belching, acid reflux, and heartburn. Despite this, the causal relationship between these two conditions remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the causal link between GERD and cholecystitis using a Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. METHODS: A two-sample MR analysis was conducted using the inverse variance weighted (IVW), weighted median, weighted mode, and MR-Egger method to assess the causal effects of GERD on the cholecystitis risk. Genome-wide association studies (GWASs) on GERD (N cases = 129080; N controls = 473524) and cholecystitis (N cases = 1930; N controls =359264) were obtained from the IEU Open GWAS project. Various techniques were employed to assess pleiotropy and heterogeneity. RESULTS: Seventy-seven single nucleotide polymorphisms from GERD GWASs were selected as instrumental variables (IVs). The primary IVW method revealed a significant association between GERD and an increased risk of cholecystitis (odds ratio = 1.004; 95% confidence interval = 1.003-1.005, p = 2.68 × 10- 9). The absence of heterogeneity and pleiotropy in the data supports the reliability of the results. CONCLUSIONS: GERD was positively associated with the risk of cholecystitis. This study provides insights into potential avenues for the development of prevention strategies and treatment options for cholecystitis in patients with GERD. These findings contribute to our understanding of the complex interplay between GERD and cholecystitis.

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy in Cardiogenic Shock And Heart Failure.

Background: Patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) or heart failure can develop ischemic cholecystitis from a systemic low-flow state. Cholecystectomy in high-risk patients is controversial. Percutaneous cholecystostomy tube (PCT) is often the chosen intervention; however, data on PCT as definitive treatment are conflicting. Data on cholecystectomy in these patients are limited. This study discusses outcomes following laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in this patient population. Methods: This is a retrospective review of patients who underwent LC from 2015 to 2019 while hospitalized for CS or heart failure. Surgical services are provided by fellowship-trained minimally invasive surgeons at a single, academic, tertiary-care center. Patient characteristics are reported as frequencies' percentages for categorical variables. Odds ratio is used to determine the association between comorbidities and complications. Results: Twenty-four patients underwent LC. Around 83% were white and 79% were male. Many were anticoagulated (88%), with Class IV heart failure (63%), and required vasopressors (46%) at the time of surgery. Fourteen of 24 (58%) had at least one circulatory device at the time of surgery: extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, left ventricular assist device, Impella, tandem heart, and total artificial heart. Four patients (17%) had PCT preoperatively. Fifteen days were the average interval between diagnosis and surgery. Pneumoperitoneum was tolerated by all, and 0% converted to open. Most common complication was bleeding (52%). Nine patients (37.5%) underwent 21 reoperations, one of which (4%) was related to cholecystectomy. Mortality occurred in 5 patients (20.8%); interval between cholecystectomy and mortality ranged 6-30 days. Conclusion: Although high risk, LC is a treatment option in patients with ischemic cholecystitis at risk for death from sepsis.

Cholecystoappendiceal fistula associated with xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis.

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis is a rare chronic inflammatory disease of the gallbladder associated with complications such as perforation, dense adhesions and fistulation. We present a case of a female patient in her 20s who presented with three episodes of recurrent cholecystitis over 3 months. Her medical history included an endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography for obstructive jaundice due to choledocholithiasis. As there was no possibility of performing an urgent cholecystectomy during her initial admission, she was listed for an elective operation. Laparoscopic inspection revealed a pericholecystic mass involving the omentum, transverse colon, duodenum and liver and findings suspicious of a cholecystoappendiceal fistula. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and appendicectomy were performed. Early index admission laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be performed in patients with acute cholecystitis to prevent higher grades of operative difficulty and associated complications. This case presentation-cholecystoappendiceal fistula associated with xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis-emphasises the necessity of complying with national guidelines in managing acute calculous cholecystitis.

HELICOBACTER PYLORI AND GALLBLADDER PATHOLOGIES: IS THERE A CAUSE-AND-EFFECT RELATIONSHIP?

The relationship between Helicobacter pylori infection and gallbladder diseases, particularly cholecystitis and gallbladder polyps, remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the presence of H. pylori in gallbladder tissues and its potential role in gallbladder pathologies, as well as to examine the expression of chemokines CXCL2 and CXCL5 in these conditions. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 137 laparoscopically excised gallbladders were analysed through histological examination, PCR for H. pylori-specific DNA, and quantitative real-time PCR for CXCL2 and CXCL5 gene expression. The study cohort included patients with acute calculous cholecystitis, chronic calculous cholecystitis, and gallbladder polyps. RESULTS: H. pylori was detected in 30.7% of cases by histological methods and 42.3% by PCR. Elevated expression of CXCL2 and CXCL5 was observed in 62% and 57.7% of cases, respectively, with a higher prevalence in acute cholecystitis compared to chronic conditions. However, no statistically significant association was found between H. pylori presence and the forms of cholecystitis, as well as between H. pylori presence and chemokine expression in gallbladder. CONCLUSIONS: The study did not establish a direct link between the presence of H. pylori infection and forms of gallbladder pathologies. The findings suggest that other factors other than H. pylori may contribute to the upregulation of CXCL2 and CXCL5 in gallbladder diseases. Further research is needed to elucidate the complex interactions between H. pylori, chemokines, and gallbladder pathologies.

Epidemiology of biliary tract-associated bloodstream infections and adequacy of empiric therapy: an Australian population-based study.

PURPOSE: Although the biliary tract is a common source of invasive infections, the epidemiology of cholangitis- and cholecystitis-associated bloodstream infection (BSI) is not well defined. The objective of this study was to determine the incidence, clinical determinants, microbiology of biliary tract-associated BSI, and predicted adequacy of common empiric therapy regimens. METHODS: All biliary tract-associated BSI in Queensland during 2000-2019 were identified using state-wide data sources. Predicted adequacy of empiric antimicrobial therapy was determined according to microbiological susceptibility data. RESULTS: There were 3,698 episodes of biliary tract-associated BSI occurred in 3,433 patients of which 2,147 (58.1%) episodes were due to cholangitis and 1,551 (41.9%) cholecystitis, for age- and sex-standardized incidence rates of 2.7, and 2.0 per 100,000 population, respectively. An increasing incidence of biliary tract-associated BSI was observed over the study that was attributable to an increase in cholangitis cases. There was a significant increased risk for biliary tract-associated BSI observed with advancing age and male sex. Patients with cholangitis were older, more likely to have healthcare associated infection, and have more comorbidities most notably liver disease and malignancies as compared to patients with cholecystitis. The distribution of infecting pathogens was significantly different with polymicrobial aetiologies more commonly observed with cholangitis (18.4% vs. 10.5%; p < 0.001). The combination of ampicillin/gentamicin/metronidazole was predicted to have the overall highest adequacy (96.1%), whereas amoxicillin/clavulanate had the lowest (77.0%). Amoxicillin/clavulanate (75.2% vs. 79.4%, p:0.03) and ceftriaxone/metronidazole (83.4% vs. 89.6%; p < 0.001) showed significantly inferior predicted adequacy for cholangitis as compared to cholecystitis. CONCLUSIONS: Bloodstream infections related to cholecystitis and cholangitis exhibit different epidemiology, microbiology, and requirements for empiric therapy.

Examination of the thickness of the different components of gallbladder wall in cases with mucocele and/or cholecystitis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the thickness of each layer of the gallbladder wall with different diseases in dogs. SAMPLE: 72 gallbladders. METHODS: Retrospective study of dogs that underwent cholecystectomy. Histopathological specimens of the gallbladders were reviewed. Histopathological diagnosis was made as gallbladder mucocele or cholecystitis, and cholecystitis was further categorized into chronic cholecystitis, acute-on-chronic cholecystitis, acute cholecystitis, and necrotic cholecystitis. The thickness of each layer of the gallbladder wall was measured. RESULTS: 22 dogs were diagnosed with gallbladder mucocele without cholecystitis, 24 with gallbladder mucocele and cholecystitis, 20 with only cholecystitis, and 6 as normal. Histopathological subclassification of cholecystitis in 44 gallbladders led to diagnosis of chronic cholecystitis in 21 gallbladders, acute-on-chronic cholecystitis in 10 gallbladders, acute cholecystitis in 6 gallbladders, and necrotic cholecystitis in 7 gallbladders. The thickness of the entire wall of the gallbladder (P < .0001) and the thickness of the mucosa (P < .0001) and subserosa (P < .0001) were affected by the different disease processes. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Layers of the gallbladder wall were affected by diseases present in the gallbladder. It resulted in a difference in the thickness of the wall of the gallbladder among the gallbladder diseases in this study. Histopathological changes should be taken into consideration before surgery while deciding what technique to use to perform a cholecystectomy.

Symptomatic uncomplicated gallstone disease is associated with a high short-term risk of gallstone-related complications: a contemporary cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The natural history of symptomatic uncomplicated gallstone disease is largely unknown. We examined the risk of progressing from symptomatic uncomplicated to complicated gallstone disease in a large regional cohort of patients, where disruptions in elective surgical capacities have led to the indefinite postponement of surgery for benign conditions, including cholecystectomies. METHODS: Patients with radiologically diagnosed incident symptomatic and uncomplicated gallstone disease were identified from outpatient clinics and emergency departments on the Island of Funen, Denmark. The absolute risk of complications (cholecystitis, cholangitis, pancreatitis, acute cholecystectomy for unremitting pain) was calculated using death and elective cholecystectomies as competing risks using the Aalen-Johansen method. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) of gallstone complications associated with patient and gallstone characteristics. RESULTS: Two hundred eighty-six patients diagnosed with incident symptomatic, uncomplicated gallstone disease from 1 January 2020 to 1 July 2023 were identified. During 79,170 person-years of observation, 176 (61.5%) patients developed a gallstone-related complication. The 6-, 12- and 24-month risk of developing gallstone-related complications were 36%, 55% and 81%. The risk of developing complications related to common bile duct stones was lowest with larger stones (aHR per millimeter increase = 0.89 (0.82-0.97), p < 0.01), while no covariates were statistically significantly associated with the risk of cholecystitis. Eighty-five (30%) patients underwent elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy, with one patient (1.2%) developing a gallstone-related complication afterward. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of developing complications to symptomatic gallstones in a general Scandinavian population is high, and prophylactic cholecystectomy should be considered.

Gallbladder torsion.

ABSTRACT: Gallbladder torsion is a rare cause of acute surgical abdomen. Early recognition and surgical intervention are important for reducing complications and improving postoperative patient outcomes, but standard imaging and laboratory evaluation typically are indistinguishable from those of acute cholecystitis. This article describes a patient with gangrenous cholecystitis secondary to torsion and summarizes recommendations for evaluation and management.

Metagenomic Analysis of Biliary Microbial Flora in Patients with Gallbladder Cancer or Gallstones-Associated Chronic Cholecystitis.

Biliary dysbiosis is associated with gallbladder cancer (GBC). We aimed to look for biliary bacteria specifically detected in GBC patients. We used 16S rRNA-based metagenomic analysis to elucidate biliary microbiota in 30 GBC and 30 gallstones-associated chronic cholecystitis patients. Relative abundance of five genera, Streptococcus, Enterococcus, Halomonas, Escherichia and Caulobacter was significantly associated with GBC. Of 15-species, 7 were detected significantly higher in GBC, Streptococcus anginosus, Streptococcus constellatus, Streptococcus intermedius, Actinomyces bowdenii, Actinomyces israelii, Actinomyces gerencseriae, and Escherichia fergusonii were biosafety level-2 infectious bacteria; other 8 species were biosafety level-1 bacteria. These bacterial species may be involved in pathogenesis of GBC.

The role of RObotic surgery in EMergency setting (ROEM): protocol for a multicentre, observational, prospective international study on the use of robotic platform in emergency surgery.

BACKGROUND: Robotic surgery has gained widespread acceptance in elective interventions, yet its role in emergency procedures remains underexplored. While the 2021 WSES position paper discussed limited studies on the application of robotics in emergency general surgery, it recommended strict patient selection, adequate training, and improved platform accessibility. This prospective study aims to define the role of robotic surgery in emergency settings, evaluating intraoperative and postoperative outcomes and assessing its feasibility and safety. METHODS: The ROEM study is an observational, prospective, multicentre, international analysis of clinically stable adult patients undergoing robotic surgery for emergency treatment of acute pathologies including diverticulitis, cholecystitis, and obstructed hernias. Data collection includes patient demographics and intervention details. Furthermore, data relating to the operating theatre team and the surgical instruments used will be collected in order to conduct a cost analysis. The study plans to enrol at least 500 patients from 50 participating centres, with each centre having a local lead and collaborators. All data will be collected and stored online through a secure server running the Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) web application. Ethical considerations and data governance will be paramount, requiring local ethical committee approvals from participating centres. DISCUSSION: Current literature and expert consensus suggest the feasibility of robotic surgery in emergencies with proper support. However, challenges include staff training, scheduling conflicts with elective surgeries, and increased costs. The ROEM study seeks to contribute valuable data on the safety, feasibility, and cost-effectiveness of robotic surgery in emergency settings, focusing on specific pathologies. Previous studies on cholecystitis, abdominal hernias, and diverticulitis provide insights into the benefits and challenges of robotic approaches. It is necessary to identify patient populations that benefit most from robotic emergency surgery to optimize outcomes and justify costs.

Comprehensive single-cell analysis deciphered microenvironmental dynamics and immune regulator olfactomedin 4 in pathogenesis of gallbladder cancer.

OBJECTIVE: Elucidating complex ecosystems and molecular features of gallbladder cancer (GBC) and benign gallbladder diseases is pivotal to proactive cancer prevention and optimal therapeutic intervention. DESIGN: We performed single-cell transcriptome analysis on 230 737 cells from 15 GBCs, 4 cholecystitis samples, 3 gallbladder polyps, 5 gallbladder adenomas and 16 adjacent normal tissues. Findings were validated through large-scale histological assays, digital spatial profiler multiplexed immunofluorescence (GeoMx), etc. Further molecular mechanism was demonstrated with in vitro and in vivo studies. RESULTS: The cell atlas unveiled an altered immune landscape across different pathological states of gallbladder diseases. GBC featured a more suppressive immune microenvironment with distinct T-cell proliferation patterns and macrophage attributions in different GBC subtypes. Notably, mutual exclusivity between stromal and immune cells was identified and remarkable stromal ecosystem (SC) heterogeneity during GBC progression was unveiled. Specifically, SC1 demonstrated active interaction between Fibro-iCAF and Endo-Tip cells, correlating with poor prognosis. Moreover, epithelium genetic variations within adenocarcinoma (AC) indicated an evolutionary similarity between adenoma and AC. Importantly, our study identified elevated olfactomedin 4 (OLFM4) in epithelial cells as a central player in GBC progression. OLFM4 was related to T-cell malfunction and tumour-associated macrophage infiltration, leading to a worse prognosis in GBC. Further investigations revealed that OLFM4 upregulated programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression through the MAPK-AP1 axis, facilitating tumour cell immune evasion. CONCLUSION: These findings offer a valuable resource for understanding the pathogenesis of gallbladder diseases and indicate OLFM4 as a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for GBC.

Immunohistochemical inflammation in histologically normal gallbladders containing gallstones.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to establish features of inflammation in histologically normal gallbladders with gallstones and compare the expression of inflammatory markers in acutely and chronically inflamed gallbladders. METHODS: Immunohistochemistry was performed on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded gallbladders for tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-6, IL-2R, and substance p in three groups: Group I (n = 60) chronic cholecystitis, Group II (n = 57) acute cholecystitis and Group III (n = 45) histologically normal gallbladders with gallstones. Expression was quantified using the H-scoring system. RESULTS: Median, interquartile range expression of mucosal IL-2R in Groups I (2.65, 0.87-7.97) and II (12.30, 6.15-25.55) was significantly increased compared with group III (0.40, 0.10-1.35, p < 0.05). Submucosal IL-2R expression in Groups I (2.0, 1.12-4.95) and II (10.0, 5.95-14.30) was also significantly increased compared with Group III (0.50, 0.15-1.05, p < 0.05). There was no difference in the lymphoid cell IL-6 expression between Groups I (5.95, 1.60-18.15), II (6.10, 1.1-36.15) and III (8.30, 2.60-26.35, p > 0.05). Epithelial IL-6 expression of Group III (8.3, 2.6-26.3) was significantly increased compared with group I (0.5, 0-10.2, p < 0.05) as was epithelial TNF-α expression in Group III (85.0, 70.50-92.0) compared with Groups I (72.50, 45.25.0-85.50, p < 0.05) and II (61.0, 30.0-92.0, p < 0.05). Lymphoid cell Substance P expression in Groups I (1.90, 1.32-2.65) and II (5.62, 2.50-20.8) was significantly increased compared with Group III (1.0,1.0-1.30, p < 0.05). Epithelial cell expression of Substance P in Group III (121.7, 94.6-167.8) was significantly increased compared with Groups I (75.7, 50.6-105.3, p < 0.05) and II (78.9, 43.5-118.5, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Histologically normal gallbladders with gallstones exhibited features of inflammation on immunohistochemistry.

Cholecystitis may decrease the risk of sudden death: A 2-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Some observational studies have highlighted a significant association between cholecystitis and factors leading to sudden death; however, the specific relationship between the 2 has not been fully elucidated. The primary objective of this study was to elucidate the causal interplay between cholecystitis and augmented risk of sudden cardiac death. We used large-scale genetic summary data from genome-wide association study, genetic summary statistics were sourced from 3 eminent repositories: the UK Biobank (N = 463,010), the FinnGen consortium (N = 215,027), and the European Bioinformatics Institute (N = 471,251). By employing 2-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to decipher the causal interplay between cholecystitis and sudden death etiologies, a meta-analytical approach was employed to amalgamate the findings derived from these disparate data sources. The primary MR methodologies used included inverse variance weighting with random effects, inverse variance weighting with fixed effects, maximum likelihood, MR-Egger, and weighted median. Subsequently, we performed heterogeneity testing, polyvalency examination, and sensitivity analysis to bolster the robustness of causal relationship assessments. Meta-analysis and amalgamating variegated data sources revealed a statistically significant inverse correlation between cholecystitis and ventricular arrhythmias (odds ratio, 0.896; 95% confidence interval: 0.826-0.971; P = .008). Similarly, an inverse association was observed between cholecystitis and aortic aneurysm (odds ratio, 0.899; 95% confidence interval: 0.851-0.951, P < .001). This study substantiates the absence of a direct causal link between cholecystitis and cerebrovascular accidents (P = .771), pulmonary embolism (P = .071), and acute myocardial infarction (P = .388). A direct causal correlation existed between cholecystitis and sudden death associated with ventricular arrhythmias and aortic aneurysms. The onset of cholecystitis may mitigate the risk of sudden death due to ventricular arrhythmias and aortic aneurysms.

[Severe cholecystitis during the COVID-19 pandemic : Influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the frequency of surgery and outcome for elective and emergency cholecystectomy: a monocentric retrospective cohort analysis]. / Schwerere Cholezystitiden während der COVID-19-Pandemie : Einfluss der COVID-19-Pandemie auf OP-Frequenz und Outcome bei elektiven und notfälligen Cholezystektomien: eine monozentrische retrospektive Kohortenanalyse.

BACKGROUND: With the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic medical care focused on management of the infectious event. Elective interventions were cancelled and the general advice was to stay at home. How this impacted urgent and elective cholecystectomies is the subject of this work. METHOD: Urgent and elective cholecystectomy patients during the first year of the pandemic were compared with those of the previous year. The primary endpoint was the frequency of surgery. Furthermore, the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score, symptom duration until presentation as well as until surgery, preoperative inflammatory parameters, imaging, positive Murphy's sign, type and duration of surgery, intraoperative drain placement, intraoperative and histological severity, need for and duration of postoperative antibiotic therapy, intensive care stay, length of stay and occurrence of postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: During the pandemic patients were sicker (ASA 2.13 vs. 2.31; p = 0.039), the operating time was prolonged (64.4 min vs. 74.9 min; p = 0.001) and patients were more likely to have concomitant peritonitis (15.4% vs. 29.1%: p = 0.007). Furthermore, there was a trend in the presence of leukocytosis, a positive Murphy's sign, intraoperative drain placement, intraoperative severity of inflammation, duration of postoperative antibiotic therapy and complication rate. CONCLUSION: During the COVID-19 pandemic cholecystitis presented with more pronounced inflammation, the surgical conditions were more difficult and postoperative recovery was prolonged.

A comparison of outcomes including bile duct injury of subtotal cholecystectomy versus open total cholecystectomy as bailout procedures for severe cholecystitis: A multicenter real-world study.

BACKGROUND: Dense inflammation obscuring the hepatocystic anatomy can hinder the ability to perform a safe standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy in severe cholecystitis, requiring use of a bailout procedure. We compared clinical outcomes of laparoscopic and open subtotal cholecystectomy against the traditional standard of open total cholecystectomy to identify the optimal bailout strategy for the difficult gallbladder. METHODS: A multicenter, multinational retrospective cohort study of patients who underwent bailout procedures for severe cholecystitis. Procedures were compared using one-way analysis of variance/Kruskal-Wallis tests and χ2 tests with multiple pairwise comparisons, maintaining a family-wise error rate at 0.05. Multiple multivariate linear/logistical regression models were created. RESULTS: In 11 centers, 727 bailout procedures were conducted: 317 laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomies, 172 open subtotal cholecystectomies, and 238 open cholecystectomies. Baseline characteristics were similar among subgroups. Bile leak was common in laparoscopic and open fenestrating subtotal cholecystectomies, with increased intraoperative drain placements and postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(P < .05). In contrast, intraoperative bleeding (odds ratio = 3.71 [1.9, 7.22]), surgical site infection (odds ratio = 2.41 [1.09, 5.3]), intensive care unit admission (odds ratio = 2.65 [1.51, 4.63]), and length of stay (Δ = 2 days, P < .001) were higher in open procedures. Reoperation rates were higher for open reconstituting subtotal cholecystectomies (odds ratio = 3.43 [1.03, 11.44]) than other subtypes. The overall rate of bile duct injury was 1.1% and was not statistically different between groups. Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy had a bile duct injury rate of 0.63%. CONCLUSION: Laparoscopic subtotal cholecystectomy is a feasible surgical bailout procedure in cases of severe cholecystitis where standard laparoscopic cholecystectomy may carry undue risk of bile duct injury. Open cholecystectomy remains a reasonable option.

Focused abdominal ultrasound.

A focused point-of-care abdominal ultrasound is an examination performed at the patient's location and interpreted within the clinical context. This review gives an overview of this examination modality. The objective is to rapidly address predefined dichotomised questions about the presence of an abdominal aortic aneurysm, gallstones, cholecystitis, hydronephrosis, urinary retention, free intraperitoneal fluid, and small bowel obstruction. FAUS is a valuable tool for emergency physicians to promptly confirm various conditions upon the patients' arrival, thus reducing the time to diagnosis and in some cases eliminating the need for other imaging.

Uncommon Presentation of Xanthogranulomatous Cholecystitis in a True Gallbladder Diverticulum: A Case Report and Literature Review.

BACKGROUND The gallbladder develops from the hepatic diverticulum during the fourth week of gestation, which also give rise to the liver, extrahepatic biliary ducts, and ventral part of the pancreas. Infrequently, the gallbladder has malformation or disruption in embryogenesis, leading to congenital anomalies. There are various congenital anomalies that can arise in the gallbladder. True or congenital diverticulum of the gallbladder is a rare entity that accounts for only 0.06% of gallbladder congenital anomalies and 0.0008% of cholecystectomies at the Mayo Clinic. CASE REPORT Herein, we report a rare case of a 38-year-old woman who presented to Jubail General Hospital's surgery clinic with right upper-quadrant (RUQ) pain associated with vomiting after meals for 1 month. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was done and gallbladder tissue was sent to histopathology. Gross examination revealed an outpouching mucosa within the wall that was proven to consist of muscularis and serosa layers under light microscope. Interestingly, xanthogranulomatous inflammation was confined to the diverticulum, unlike the chronic inflammation involving the remaining gallbladder. Based on the above findings, the diagnosis of congenital diverticulum with xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis was made. CONCLUSIONS Gallbladders associated with a true diverticulum are uncommonly found to be buried in the liver, leading to surgical difficulties during cholecystectomy. Therefore, background knowledge of occasional anomalies plays a crucial role in guiding the surgeon to choose the optimal method of management. We also discuss the associated complications that accompany these anomalies, such as non-specific prolonged ailments, acalculous cholecystitis, cholecystitis and cholelithiasis, recurrent cholangitis, and carcinoma of the gallbladder.