A rare case of gall bladder containing accessory lobe of liver stuck to its wall: A case report

Abstract

Introduction: Accessory liver lobe (AL) is a very rare congenital anomaly found during surgery incidentally and not usually possible to diagnose preoperatively. Here, we are reporting this rare case in which the accessory liver was diagnosed at the time of surgery and was ectopically connected to the gallbladder wall. Case Summary: A 71-y-old woman, attended our outpatient department (OPD) with pain in the epigastrium. She was diagnosed early having gallstone disease. Ultrasound abdomen was advised, which revealed cholelithiasis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed and we discovered a small liver-looking tissue stuck to the anterior wall of the gall bladder, which was removed along with the gall bladder. Subsequently, the tissue was confirmed to be liver tissue. Conclusion: It is a rare variation of the accessory lobe of the liver attached to the gall bladder. It remains asymptomatic clinically and may pose a danger of transforming to hepatocellular carcinoma; hence, total excision of the lobe should be considered.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy for patients with accessory liver lobe attached to the wall of the gallbladder: case reports

“…Pathological findings previously demonstrated that ALL contains three major structures: a portal vein, hepatic artery, and bile ducts [ 8 , 9 ]. Vessels and bile ducts in ALL (particularly pedunculated lobes) may be connected to the main liver.…”

“…Since most cases of ALL are asymptomatic, treatment is not necessary. However, in rare cases, pedunculated ALL occur on the serosal side of the gallbladder [ 8 – 10 ]. Surgeons may encounter ALL attached to the gallbladder during LC.…”