Isolated gallbladder rupture following blunt abdominal trauma

Abstract

The gallbladder is a relatively well-protected organ; consequently its rupture following blunt abdominal injury is rare and usually associated with other visceral injuries. Isolated gallbladder rupture is extremely rare. We report a healthy Nigerian adult male who sustained isolated gallbladder rupture following blunt abdominal injury from riding a motor cycle (Okada). A high index of suspicion with positive bile aspirate might lead to early diagnosis. Open cholecystectomy is a safe option of treatment in a resource poor centre especially in delayed presentation and has a good outcome.

Unusual presentation following blunt trauma abdomen: isolated gallbladder perforation

“…A thin walled GB us more prone to rupture from blunt trauma than a diseased GB which is thick and fibrotic due to chronic inflammation. 3 GB perforation almost always occurs in a distended GB. Our patient had his last meal about 8 hours before the trauma making him more vulnerable to GB injury.…”

Gall bladder perforation after squeeze injury: A Case Report.

“…7 Gallbladder perforation of such nature have mainly been reported in male patients as seen in this report. [8][9] The reason for such a perforation could be the time the patient was squeezed, corresponding to early morning where the stomach is empty, and the gallbladder is usually distended. 5 A study conducted in 1981 showed that post-prandially, the cholecystokinin levels increase, leading to constriction of the gallbladder.…”

When Domestic Violence Causes Gallbladder Injuries: A Case Report of Gallbladder Perforation

“…Similarly, the current case patient with associated grade II liver injury presented a blood pressure of 80/50 mmHg before resuscitation. However, isolated gallbladder injuries are reported in the literature (4)(5)(6)(7)(8).…”

“…A distended thin walled gallbladder is prone to injury. This distension could be due to prolonged starvation or increased tone of the sphincter of Oddi secondary to alcohol ingestion (3,5,6). Alcohol stimulates gastrin and secretin release which in turn increase bile flow in the setting of a highly toned Sphincter of Oddi.…”