Case Report
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2023. Published by Baishideng Publishing Group Inc. All rights reserved.
World J Clin Cases. Oct 6, 2023; 11(28): 6864-6870
Published online Oct 6, 2023. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v11.i28.6864
Importance of accurate diagnosis of congenital agenesis of the gallbladder from atypical gallbladder stone presentations: A case report
Hai-Jian Sun, Fei Ge, Yue Si, Zheng Wang, Hai-Bo Sun
Hai-Jian Sun, Department of General Surgery, Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nanjing 210029, Jiangsu Province, China
Fei Ge, Department of Gastroenterology, Haian Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, Nantong 226600, Jiangsu Province, China
Yue Si, Hai-Bo Sun, Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu Province, China
Yue Si, Hai-Bo Sun, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Experimental & Translational Non-Coding RNA Research Yangzhou, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu Province, China
Zheng Wang, Department of Endocrinology, The Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu Province, China
Author contributions: All authors contributed equally to this work; Sun HJ contributed to diagnosis, surgical treatment and management of the patient; Ge F and Wang Z contributed to acquisition and analysis of data; Si Y and Sun HB drafted the manuscript; Sun HB designed this study and critically revised the manuscript; All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Informed consent statement: Informed written consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this report and any accompanying images.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors declare that they have no conflict of interest to disclose.
CARE Checklist (2016) statement: The authors have read the CARE checklist (2016), and the manuscript was prepared and revised according to the CARE Checklist (2016).
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Hai-Bo Sun, PhD, Professor, Institute of Translational Medicine, Medical College, Yangzhou University, No. 136 Jiangyangzhonglu, Yangzhou 225000, Jiangsu Province, China. sun@yzu.edu.cn
Received: June 26, 2023
Peer-review started: June 26, 2023
First decision: August 4, 2023
Revised: August 10, 2023
Accepted: August 21, 2023
Article in press: August 21, 2023
Published online: October 6, 2023
Processing time: 90 Days and 18.1 Hours
Abstract
BACKGROUND

Congenital agenesis of the gallbladder (CAGB) is a rare condition often misdiagnosed as cholecystolithiasis, leading to unnecessary surgeries. Accurate diagnosis and surgical exploration are crucial in patients with suspected CAGB or atypical gallbladder stone symptoms. Preoperative imaging, such as magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), plays a vital role in confirming the diagnosis. Careful intraoperative dissection is necessary to avoid iatrogenic injuries and misdiagnosis. Multidisciplinary consultations and collaboration, along with the use of various diagnostic methods, can minimize associated risks.

CASE SUMMARY

We present the case of a 34-year-old female with suspected gallbladder stones, ultimately diagnosed with CAGB through surgical exploration. The patient underwent laparoscopic examination followed by open exploratory surgery, which confirmed absence of the gallbladder. Subsequent imaging studies supported the diagnosis. The patient received appropriate postoperative care and experienced a successful recovery.

CONCLUSION

This case highlights the rarity of CAGB and the importance of considering this condition in the differential diagnosis of patients with gallbladder stone symptoms. Accurate diagnosis using preoperative imaging, such as MRCP, is crucial to prevent unnecessary surgeries. Surgeons should exercise caution and conduct meticulous dissection during surgery to avoid iatrogenic injuries and ensure accurate diagnosis. Multidisciplinary collaboration and utilization of various diagnostic methods are essential to minimize the risk of misdiagnosis. Selection of the optimal treatment strategy should prioritize minimizing trauma and maintaining open communication with the patient and their family members.

Keywords: Congenital agenesis of the gallbladder; Absent gallbladder; Biliary tract anomalies; Case report

Core Tip: Congenital agenesis of the gallbladder (CAGB) is a rare condition often misdiagnosed as cholecystolithiasis, leading to unnecessary surgeries. It is crucial for healthcare professionals to consider the possibility of CAGB in patients with suspected gallbladder stones or atypical presentations. Preoperative imaging, such as magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, plays a vital role in confirming the diagnosis and preventing misdiagnosis. Surgeons should exercise caution during surgery to avoid iatrogenic injuries and ensure accurate diagnosis. Multidisciplinary collaboration and the use of various diagnostic methods are essential to minimize the risk of misdiagnosis and unnecessary surgical interventions. Minimizing trauma and maintaining open communication with the patient and their family members are key factors in the treatment strategy.