Incidental gallbladder mucocele mimicking acute cholecystitis: A case report and review of literature

Figure 1 Computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance imaging without contrast image studies. A: Computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis demonstrating dilatation of the central biliary ducts tapering smoothly towards the ampulla without a discrete obstructing lesion. The gallbladder is distended without wall thickening or acute inflammation; B: Magnetic resonance imaging without contrast shows a hydropic gallbladder without wall thickening or pericholecystic inflammatory changes. The common bile duct is dilated measuring up to 10 mm in the proximal third of the duct with smooth gradual tapering to normal caliber towards the ampullary region. No choledocholithiasis has been identified.

Figure 2 Upper endoscopic ultrasound showing dilation in the upper third of the main bile duct which measured up to 10 mm. A: The duct had a smooth distal taper to the ampulla. No choledocholithiasis was noted; B: One irregular hyperechoic stone was visualized endosonographically in the proximal cystic duct measuring 11 mm in greatest dimension.

Figure 3  Gross image of the gallbladder.

Figure 4 Microscopic images of the gallbladder mucocele. A: Hematoxylin and eosin-stained sections of the gallbladder mucocele wall; B: High-power hematoxylin and eosin-stained section of the mucocele wall lining showing atrophic cuboidal epithelium.