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.

Perforated duodenal ulcer in a dog with gallbladder agenesis.

Background: Duodenal ulceration (DU) in dogs derives from different causes but has never previously been related to gallbladder agenesis (GA). GA is a rare congenital disorder in dogs and is considered a predisposing factor for DU in humans. Case Description: A 5-month-old intact female Maltese was presented for acute vomiting and diarrhea. Abdominal ultrasound suggested duodenal perforation and absence of the gallbladder. Exploratory laparotomy was performed to treat the perforation and confirmed GA. Hepatic ductal plate malformation (DPM) was histologically diagnosed in liver biopsy, but no signs of liver dysfunction were detected by blood work at first admission. Two months later, the dog developed signs of portal hypertension and medical treatment was started. However, the clinical condition gradually worsened until liver failure and the dog was euthanized 8 months after surgery. Necropsy confirmed hepatic abnormalities. Conclusion: This report describes a case of DU associated with GA and DPM in a dog. As in humans, GA may represent a hepatobiliary disease predisposing to gastroduodenal ulcerations.

Duplication of gallbladder: a rare anomaly of biliary tract- A case report.

Incomplete duplication of gall bladder or vesica fellea divisa is one of the rare anomalies of gallbladder. Until now, 25 cases have been reported; of which four were proceeded with laparoscopic cholecystectomy. In our case, we diagnosed this nadir anomaly laparoscopically, posing a technical challenge since no radiological clue was observed beforehand. Successful laparoscopic resection of duplicated gall bladders was performed followed by Magnetic Resonance CholangioPancreaticography.

Duplication of the gallbladder in a patient with right colon cancer. A case report and review of the literature review.

AIM: Duplication of the gallbladder is a very rare congenital variant, showing an incidence of about 1 in 4000 in the population, occurring twice as often in women than in men. In the literature only a few cases of prenatal diagnosis are reported. The knowledge of the existence of this anatomical variable is very important in order to avoid complications and iatrogenic damage during interventional and surgical procedures involving the biliary tract or adjacent organs. CASE REPORT: A 79-year-old patient was admitted to our Hospital in May 2021 presenting abdominal pain. During hospitalization, a 5cm adenocarcinoma of the ascending colon was found. During surgery the known accessory gallbladder was found strongly adhering to the proximal transverse colon. The challenging viscerolysis maneuvers caused a lesion on one of the gallbladders, so we decided to proceed with cholecystectomy of both gallbladders. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Duplication of the gallbladder is a rare congenital anatomical variant and requires special attention to the biliary and arterial anatomy in order to avoid iatrogenic damage. This variant can complicate surgical treatment for complications that need urgent treatment, such as cholecystitis. Currently the technique of choice for the evaluation of the biliary tree is magnetic resonance cholangiography. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice. CONCLUSION: Surgeons should be aware of the different forms of presentation of gallbladder pathologies, also the ones that are not "the standard" of routine. Detailed preoperative study is essential to avoid a missed diagnosis. KEY WORDS: Gallbladder, Mininvasive surgery, Variant, Anatomical.

Duplicated gallbladder: an incidental anatomical variation in a patient with symptomatic cholelithiasis.

Congenital malformations of the biliary tract represent a relatively rare entity with which surgeons, radiologists and clinicians are not adequately familiarized. We present a rare case of gallbladder duplication in a 40-year-old female, with the accessory cystic duct entering the left hepatic duct, which depicts the fifth reported case in the international bibliography. Our case illustrates the importance of detailed knowledge of anatomical malformations of the biliary tree, serving the purpose of a preoperative diagnosis of symptomatic cholelithiasis. It is also of paramount importance to take under consideration biliary tract malformations to avoid inadvertent complications such as biliary duct injuries in case of laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

A Single Gallbladder Fold Creates a Unique Visual and Temporal Pattern of Radiotracer Accumulation on Hepatobiliary Scintigraphy.

ABSTRACT: Duplication of the gallbladder represents a variant of anomalous biliary anatomy that is rarely encountered on hepatobiliary scintigraphy. We describe the case of 76-year-old man with a gallbladder fold mimicking duplication of the gallbladder or an associated choledochal cyst on scintigraphy. Correlative imaging with CT and ultrasound helped elucidate the true anatomy. This case demonstrates the type of difficult scintigraphic patterns that can arise with variant anatomy and the necessary role of cross-sectional, anatomic imaging in unraveling such situations.

Non-visualisation of fetal gallbladder in a Chinese cohort.

INTRODUCTION: Non-visualisation of fetal gallbladder (NVFGB) is associated with chromosomal abnormalities, biliary atresia, cystic fibrosis, and gallbladder agenesis in Caucasian fetuses. We investigated the outcomes of fetuses with NVFGB in a Chinese cohort. METHODS: This retrospective analysis included cases of NVFGB among Chinese pregnant women at five public fetal medicine clinics in Hong Kong from 2012 to 2019. We compared the incidences of subsequent gallbladder visualisation, chromosomal abnormalities, biliary atresia, cystic fibrosis, and gallbladder agenesis between cases of isolated NVFGB and cases of non-isolated NVFGB. RESULTS: Among 19 cases of NVFGB detected at a median gestational age of 21.3 weeks (interquartile range, 20.0-22.3 weeks), 10 (52.6%) were isolated and nine (47.4%) were non-isolated. Eleven (58.0%) cases had transient non-visualisation, four (21.0%) had gallbladder agenesis, three (15.8%) had chromosomal abnormalities (trisomy 18, trisomy 21, and 22q11.2 microduplication), one (5.2%) had biliary atresia, and none had cystic fibrosis. The incidence of serious conditions was significantly higher in the non-isolated group than in the isolated group (44.4% vs 0%; P=0.029); all three cases with chromosomal abnormalities and the only case of biliary atresia were in the non-isolated group, while all four cases with gallbladder agenesis were in the isolated group. The incidences of transient non-visualisation were similar (55.6% vs 60.0%; P=1.000). CONCLUSION: Isolated NVFGB is often transient or related to gallbladder agenesis. While investigations for chromosomal abnormalities and biliary atresia are reasonable in cases of NVFGB, testing for cystic fibrosis may be unnecessary in Chinese fetuses unless the NVFGB is associated with consistent ultrasound features, significant family history, or consanguinity.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for left-sided gallbladder.

PURPOSE: Left-sided gallbladder (LSGB) is a rare congenital anomaly in the gallbladder, which is defined as a gallbladder located on the left side of the falciform ligament without situs inversus. We retrospectively analyzed 13 patients diagnosed with LSGB in a single center to confirm the safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and reviewed the anatomical implications in those patients. METHODS: Of the 4910 patients who underwent LC for the treatment of gallbladder disease between August 2007 and December 2019, 13 (0.26%) were diagnosed as having LSGB. We retrospectively analyzed these 13 patients for general characteristics, perioperative outcomes, and other variations through the perioperative imaging workups. RESULTS: All patients underwent LC for gallbladder disease. In all cases, the gallbladder was located on the left side of the falciform ligament. The operation was successfully performed with standard four-trocar technique, confirming "critical view of safety (CVS)" as usual without two cases (15.4%). In one case, which had an intraoperative complication and needed choledochojejunostomy because of common bile duct injury, there was an associated variation with early common bile duct bifurcation. The other patient underwent an open conversion technique because of severe fibrosis in the Calot's triangle. Furthermore, on postoperative computed tomography, abnormal intrahepatic portal venous branching was found in all cases. CONCLUSIONS: Although LSGB is usually encountered by chance during surgery, it can be successfully managed through LC with CVS. However, surgeons who find LSGB have to make efforts to be aware of the high risk of bile duct injury and possibility of associated anomalies.

Complete enclosure of gall bladder inside the lesser omentum - a rare anomaly.

Gall bladder is known for many congenital anomalies such as duplication, intrahepatic position, floating position etc. Most of its anomalies can be detected in ultrasound examination and radiography. We report an extremely rare congenital anomaly of gall bladder as observed in a male cadaver during dissection classes. The gall bladder was totally enclosed in the right free margin of the lesser omentum, in front of the usual contents of the right free margin of lesser omentum. The size, shape and blood supply of the gall bladder were normal. Though this anomaly might not cause any functional disturbances, it might result in complications during laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Multiseptate gallbladder: A case report and literature review.

RATIONALE: Multiseptate gallbladder (MSG) is a rare congenital gallbladder anomaly. Between 1963 and June 2021, only 56 cases were reported. There is currently no treatment guideline for pediatric or adult cases of MSG. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 14-year-old woman visited our out-patient clinic in September 2020 for epigastric pain that last for 6 months. Honeycomb appearance of the gallbladder was noted under ultrasonography. DIAGNOSIS: The patient was diagnosed with MSG. The diagnosis was confirmed through computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography. INTERVENTIONS: Cholecystectomy was performed. OUTCOMES: Epigastric pain showed limited improvement after the surgery. Since she was diagnosed with gastritis at the same time, a proton-pump inhibitor was prescribed. Epigastric pain was eventually resolved. LESSONS: MSG cases can undergo cholecystectomy and show good recovery without complications. However, concomitant treatment may be required to resolve in the presence of other symptoms such as epigastric pain.

Variación anatómica de la vía biliar tipo F de Blumgart / Anatomical variation of Blumgart´s F type bile duct / Variacão anatômica do ducto biliar do tipo F de Blumgart

Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 40 años portadora de litiasis biliar sintomática que se operó de coordinación por abordaje laparoscópico

Hepatic hilum-type II choledochal cyst masquerading as gallbladder duplication.

Choledochal cyst and gallbladder duplication are rare congenital anomalies. They typically are surgical problems of infancy or childhood but rarely may present in adults also. Despite high resolution imaging, the differentiation of type II choledochal cyst from gallbladder duplication often causes the diagnostic dilemma; which may result in high risk for intraoperative iatrogenic injury. Operative management of choledochal cyst is the definite treatment because of its malignant potential. A type II choledochal cyst arising from the hepatic hilum presenting as gallbladder duplication on imaging has not been reported earlier in the literature and here we present a case report of the same which was managed successfully.

Cystic biliary atresia with congenital absence of portal vein.

A 126-day female child presented with jaundice since day 7 of life. She was icteric and had hepatosplenomegaly. Radiological investigations revealed three extrahepatic and multiple intrahepatic biliary cysts, absent gall bladder and portal vein. These findings were confirmed on laparotomy. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of cystic biliary atresia associated with congenital absence of portal vein.

Metastatic gallbladder carcinoma presenting as an ovarian mass

Metastatic gallbladder carcinoma to the ovaries is occasional but a recognized entity. It can mimic, clinical and morphologically, a primary ovarian tumor, challenging the diagnosis. We present the case of a patient with a lump in the hypogastrium extending into the right iliac fossa and was found to have abdominopelvic cystic lesion with enhancing solid components and multiple sub-centimetric and ill-defined abdominal lymph nodes. Also, subpleural and parenchymal nodules in the lungs were present. She subsequently underwent a laparotomy. Cholecystectomy was also done due to pre-existing symptomatic biliary lithiasis. The histologic report described the ovarian involvement as metastases from a gallbladder carcinoma. The presentation of ovarian metastases can challenge the diagnosis. Hence, careful evaluation of the digestive tract and judicious use of immunohistochemistry should be considered in patients presenting with ovarian masses.

A Case of Symptomatic Gallbladder Agenesis with Chronic Abdominal Symptoms.

The anatomical area of the extrahepatic bile ducts exhibits plethora of anatomic variants. The detailed study and comprehension of anatomic variations of extrahepatic bile ducts is a prerequisite in order to avoid the intraoperative biliary or tract damages, but they are also necessary for the targeted treatment of any complications. Gallbladder agenesis is a rare congenital anomaly of the biliary tree with an estimated incidence of 0.007-0.027% in surgical series which is much lower compared to the incidence of other gallbladder anomalies. It may be asymptomatic, but sometimes is associated with symptoms such as upper quadrant abdominal pain, which may be mistaken for cholecystitis and can lead the patient to the operating room. We present a case of a 30-year-old male patient without any significant past medical history presented with a 2-year history of upper abdominal complaints, dyspepsia, epigastric abdominal pain and weight loss, normal laboratory workup and unclear radiological signs which led him to exploratory laparoscopy due to the patient's chronic symptoms, in order to exclude the presence of another underlying pathologic process. In addition to our case presentation, a relative  review of literature was conducted. As a conclusion, examinations, such as transabdominal ultrasonography, may be misleading and MCRP should be the principal method of investigation to establish a presumptive diagnosis. However, in cases with a strong suspicion for a different underlying pathology, further investigation with exploratory laparoscopy may be warranted.

Hartmann's Pouch Stones and Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy: The Challenges and the Solutions.

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Hartmann's pouch stones (HPS) encountered during laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) may hinder safe dissection of the cystic pedicle or be complicated by mucocele, empyema, or Mirizzi syndrome; distorting the anatomy and increasing the risk of bile duct injury. We studied the incidence, presentations, operative challenges, and outcomes of HPS. METHODS: A cohort study of a prospectively maintained database of LCs and bile duct explorations performed by a single surgeon. Patients were divided into two groups: those with HPS and those without. Patients' demographics, clinical presentation, intra-operative findings, and postoperative outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Of the 5136 patients, 612 (11.9%) had HPS. The HPS group were more likely to present with acute cholecystitis (27.9% vs 5.9%, P = .000) and more patients underwent emergency LC (50.7% vs 41.5%, P = .000). The HPS group had more difficult cholecystectomies, with 46.1% vs 11.8% in the non-HPS group being operative difficulty grade 4 and 5. Mucocele, empyema, and Mirizzi syndrome were more common in the HPS group (24.0% vs 3.7% P = .000, 30.9% vs 3.7% P = .000, 1.8% vs 0.9% P = .000, respectively). There was no significant difference in the open conversion rate or complications. CONCLUSION: HPS increase the difficulty of LC. Surgeons should be aware of their presence and should employ appropriate dissection strategies. Sharp or diathermy dissection should be avoided. Dislodging the stone into the gall bladder, stone removal, swab dissection, and cholangiography are useful measures to avoid ductal injury and reduce the conversion rate.

Laparoscopic Double Cholecystectomy in a Pediatric Patient for Gallbladder Duplication : An Unusual Case of Biliary Anatomy.

Gall bladder duplication is a rare congenital anomaly that can be identified clinically during the workup for gall bladder-related symptoms. This anatomic variation can complicate surgery, and yet there are few published reports of this variant causing symptoms in pediatric patients. This is a case of a 17-year-old female with a history of Arnold-Chiari malformation type I, presenting with right upper quadrant pain. Outside computed tomography reported a trilobed gall bladder, while magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography demonstrated a duplicated gall bladder. Endoscopic resonance cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) showed a rare anatomic variant of duplicated gall bladder with an accessory right hepatic duct branching off the cystic duct. Due to complex anatomy, both indocyanine green and intraoperative cholangiogram (IOC) were utilized for a successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Only ERCP and IOC were able to clearly identify the aberrant right hepatic duct. Final pathology confirmed acute and chronic cholecystitis without dysplasia or cholelithiasis. This case highlights a rare anomaly of an aberrant right hepatic duct in the setting of gallbladder duplication in a pediatric patient. We would recommend both ERCP and IOC during the laparoscopic surgical approach as they were the only imaging modalities to identify the patient's correct anatomy, likely due to the size of pediatric biliary structures.

Urgent cholecystectomy in patient with left-sided gallbladder Case report and review of the literature.

INTRODUCTION: Sinistroposition of the gallbladder, or true left-sided gallbladder (LSG) without situs viscerum inversus, is a rare congenital anatomical variant where the gallbladder is located to the left of round/falciform ligament. It can be associated with anomalies of the biliary tree, portal system and hepatic vascularization. The surgical management of a LSG could be challenging even for an experienced operator, being usually an incidental intraoperative finding. CASE REPORT: A 72 years old woman was admitted to our emergency department because of acute cholecystitis. There were no pre-operative indications of sinistroposition of the gallbladder and its aberrant position was discovered during the explorative laparoscopy; because of the unusual anatomy and chronic flogosis, the laparoscopic approach was converted to open surgery. The patient underwent a successful intervention and was discharged after 4 days without complications. Her family history revealed a daughter with biliary atresia. DISCUSSION: LSG could remain undetected at preoperative imaging, but today, with advances in diagnostic imaging, the report of this condition has increased. Several hypothesis suggest the presence of an underlying embriologic mechanism for LSG and its associated anomalies, but its etiology is still unknown. The association with the daughter's biliary atresia makes reasonable a possible genetic correlation with this condition. CONCLUSIONS: In case of LSG, laparoscopic cholecystectomy could be feasible and safe, but with an increased risk of injury to the major biliary structures, mostly in case of severe and chronic inflammation of the gallbladder. Surgeons have to know this variant because of its associated hepatic anomalies. KEY WORDS: Cholecystectomy, Emergency Surgery, Left-Sided-Gallbladder.

Ectopic Gallbladder Mimicking Choledochal Cyst on Hepatobiliary Scintigraphy.

The gallbladder is generally located at the anterolaterally situated gallbladder fossa on the undersurface of the liver, whereas choledochal cyst, as a dilation of the common bile duct, is located more posteromedially. We reported an ectopically located gallbladder, which appeared to be a choledochal cyst on hepatobiliary scintigraphy in a 10-year-old girl.