An H-Shaped Duplicated Gallbladder Presenting with Acute Cholecystitis: A Case Report

Abstract

Background: Gallbladder (GB) duplication is a rare congenital biliary anomaly, which can increase iatrogenic biliary injuries during surgery. We report a case of duplicated GB presenting with acute cholecystitis in order to draw attention to its diagnosis and treatment. Case Report: A 57-year-old male patient with complaints of dyspepsia was diagnosed by ultrasound with duplicated GB containing gallstones, but the patient did not consent to undergo treatment. Three months later, the patient developed acute cholecystitis and obstructive jaundice, and was referred to our hospital. MR cholangiography showed an H-shaped duplicated gallbladder with gallstones in the common bile duct, and then ERCP was performed. The laparoscopic view could not completely identify the anatomy of the GBs and cystic ducts; therefore, a conventional cholecystectomy was performed. Conclusion: Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for H-shaped duplicated GB cases with cholecystitis may be challenging due to the duplicated cystic canals and GB inflammation. Anatomic variations should be identified preoperatively with proper imaging modalities. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be primarily performed, as well as conventional cholecystectomy if required, to prevent biliary tract injuries.

Keywords

• duplicated gallbladder
• laparoscopic cholecystectomy
• acute cholecystitis
• h-shaped duplication