Isolated Gallbladder Rupture Due to Blunt Abdominal Trauma

Abstract

Traumatic injury to the extrahepatic biliary system is rare and usually diagnosed at laparotomy when it is associated with other visceral injuries. Isolated gallbladder rupture due to blunt abdominal trauma is even rarer. The clinical presentation of gallbladder injury is variable, resulting in a delay in diagnosis and treatment. Awareness to the possibilty of trauma to the extrahepatic biliary system enables early surgical intervention and eliminates the high morbidity associated with delated diagnosis. A 5 year old child with isolated gallbladder rupture caused by blunt abdominal trauma is presented.

Isolated Gallbladder Perforation in Cases of Blunt Trauma Abdomen

“…4,5 On the other hand, a thickened or diseased gallbladder wall, secondary to chronic inflammation, is protective. 2,6,7 Injuries to the gallbladder can be classified as contusion, avulsions, and laceration. Laceration (also referred as ruptures or perforation) is the most commonly reported blunt traumatic GB injury.…”

“…Due to this relatively protected anatomic position, GB is frequently sheltered from injury in abdominal trauma. 1,2 Traumatic injuries of GB are usually associated with damage to other abdominal organs and isolated GB injury is exceedingly rare. Patients with isolated GB injury are at increased risk for significant morbidity and mortality due to non-specific presentation resulting in delayed diagnosis.…”

Isolated gallbladder perforation after trivial abdominal trauma in a child: a case report and review of the literature

“…Liver injury is present in up to 83% of cases of gallbladder trauma and the spleen, stomach, intestines, pancreas and kidney may also be injured A thin walled normal gallbladder or a distended gallbladder following a meal is more prone to traumatic rupture than a diseased thick walled one. A high incidence of traumatic gallbladder is reported in alcohol intoxicated patients 6 . Losanoff and Kjossev 7 describe a more detailed classification of blunt gallbladder injuries; according to their classification, our patient belongs to type 2 (rupture; Figure 3 and Table 1) 7 .…”

Isolated gallbladder rupture following blunt abdominal trauma

“…The gallbladder is relatively a well-protected organ being partially embedded in the liver substance, cushioned by the surrounding omentum and intestine and shielded by the rib cage. [1,2] Consequently gallbladder rupture following blunt abdominal trauma is rare and is usually associated with other visceral injuries. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Isolated gallbladder rupture due to blunt abdominal trauma is even rarer.…”

“…[1,2] Consequently gallbladder rupture following blunt abdominal trauma is rare and is usually associated with other visceral injuries. [1][2][3][4][5][6] Isolated gallbladder rupture due to blunt abdominal trauma is even rarer. [1][2][3]5] Most literature on the subjects are case reports because of the rarity of the disease and contrary to earlier reports, in which falls, kicks or blows were the most common factors causing blunt gallbladder injuries.…”