Gallbladder perforation without cholecystitis in a patient awaiting liver transplantation: a peculiar case report of anaemia in cirrhosis

Abstract

Abstract Background Acute anaemia in decompensated liver cirrhosis is commonly caused due to gastrointestinal bleeding; however, sometimes, detecting the site of blood loss is challenging. Case summary A patient on waitlist for orthotopic liver transplantation because of decompensated liver cirrhosis was admitted with acute anaemia and recurrence of ascites. Their abdomen CT showed migration of gallbladder stones in the pelvis while paracentesis documented hemoperitoneum. A diagnosis of gallbladder perforation was performed. Conclusion Challenging choice of a “wait and see” strategy with conservative therapy, avoiding high-risk cholecystectomy, resulted in a successful liver transplant.

Keywords

• Liver transplant
• Hemoperitoneum
• Anaemia
• Gallstones
• Ascites
• Case report