Diaphragm of the gallbladder: a case report

Anomalous gallbladder septum-A case report

INTRODUCTION

Anomalies and diseases of the biliary system are common with over 20 million cases of biliary disease and an estimated 1.8 million ambulatory visits each year in the United States. Congenital anomalies of the gallbladder are rare and include complete and partial duplications, floating gallbladders, and agenesis. Septations have also been reported in the literature. Case reports have typically described these as longitudinal. Transverse septa, when reported, are associated with inflammation or cholelithiasis. Variations in the cystic duct and vasculature in the portal triad have also been well described.

PRESENTATION OF CASE

During the dissection of a 91-year-old female cadaver, an enlarged gallbladder with a partial transverse septum was observed. The gallbladder contained approximately 350 ml of bile, no stones, and had a partial transverse septum near the infundibulum. The hepatic, cystic, and common bile ducts were enlarged, but of normal configuration. Vascular anomalies were also present, including an accessory left hepatic artery from the left gastric artery and an anomalous origin of the right hepatic artery from the superior mesenteric artery.

DISCUSSION

This is the first described case of a partial transverse septum with a markedly enlarged gallbladder, dilated duct system, and vascular anomalies in a patient with no evidence of gallstones, inflammation, or scarring.

CONCLUSION

With the prevalence of biliary disease and frequent subsequent surgery it is essential to appreciate all anatomical variations to avoid iatrogenic injuries to these structures during surgery.

Gallstone pancreatitis after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

This case report describes the rare presentation of an unknown dumbbell shaped (or hourglass with diaphragmatic membrane) gallbladder presenting as gallstone pancreatitis 5 months after laparoscopic cholecystectomy for cholelithiasis and our management strategy. This case highlights the importance of ensuring adequate exposure at the time of operation to prevent such presentations.

Septum formation of the common hepatic duct associated with an anomalous junction of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system and gallbladder cancer: report of a case

We herein describe a 48-year-old woman who developed a septum formation of the bile duct combined with an anomalous arrangement of the pancreaticobiliary ductal system in conjunction with gallbladder cancer. A preoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiogram demonstrated a filling defect in the common hepatic duct which was misdiagnosed to be an elevated lesion. Further exploration revealed a septum formation of the bile duct along with gallbladder cancer. A resection of the dilated bile duct and gallbladder along with a dissection of the regional lymph nodes was performed. A histological evaluation showed the septum to consist of a normal bile duct wall while the tumor in the gallbladder was poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. The patient made an uneventful recovery. The septum formation was presumed to be congenital in origin.