Abnormalities of the gallbladder, clinical effects

Abstract

The aim of this review of the literature was to present and discuss the anatomical and embryological basis of congenital abnormalities of the gallbladder, based on a case of volvulus. In the rare cases of ectopic gallbladder, diagnosis of a biliary disease could be difficult. In such cases surgery can also be dangerous, especially when it is associated with abnormalities of the intra-hepatic biliary and vascular tree. This study, based on the embryology of the extra hepatic bile duct, focused on the most frequent gallbladder abnormalities to keep them in mind.

Isolated Gall Bladder Agenesis – A Rare Case

“…The prevalence range is 0.007---0.13%. (6) GA is often associated with other congenital abnormalities (12.8---30%). It has been reported to be associated with gastrointestinal, cardiova-scular, genitourinary, and skeletal malformations, such as duodenal atresia, malrotation of the gut, pancreas divisum, imperforate anus, hypoplasia of the right hepatic lobe, duplication cysts of the hepatic flexure, ventricular septal defect, renal agenesis, undescended testes, and syndactyly.…”

“…(3) GA has also been reported in association with congenital syndromes, trisomy 18 and with congenital malformations caused by thalidomide. (6) Clinically, three groups of presentation of gallbladder agenesis have been described1: (1) asymptomatic (an incidental finding at laparotomy for another reason) (35%), (2) …”

Two Congenital Anomalies in One: An Ectopic Gallbladder with Phrygian Cap Deformity

“…Thus, the radiologist must always inform the clinician about the existence of an aberrant gallbladder. Preoperative imaging of patients with anomalies of the biliary tract includes ultrasonography, Computed Tomography, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, and Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography [3, 7]. …”

“…Agenesis of the gallbladder is very rare, having a prevalence of 0.007–0.13% and is usually associated with other malformations in congenital syndromes like cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis, trisomy 18, and Klippel-Feil syndrome. Associated malformations include scoliosis, spina bifida, and anomalies of the kidneys, lungs, and heart [7]. …”

“…The gallbladder's septa are demonstrated in ultrasonography as echogenic bands without acoustic shadow, crossing the lumen of the gallbladder and must be differentiated from polyps. Multiseptate gallbladder may be combined with other anomalies like hypoplasia or a choledochal cyst [4, 7]. …”