Incidentally detected gallbladder agenesis in a child: the importance of identifying anatomic structure
- Author:
Jae Hun JUNG
1
;
Hyo Rim SUH
;
Dong Eun LEE
;
Jae Young CHOE
;
So Mi LEE
;
Ben KANG
;
Byung Ho CHOE
Author Information
1. Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Korea.
- Publication Type:Case Report
- Keywords:
Gallbladder agenesis;
Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography;
Pediatrics
- MeSH:
Adult;
Autopsy;
Child;
Cholangiopancreatography, Magnetic Resonance;
Cholecystitis;
Colic;
Diagnosis;
Emergency Service, Hospital;
Gallbladder;
Humans;
Korea;
Methods;
Operating Rooms;
Pediatrics;
Radionuclide Imaging;
Ultrasonography
- From:Journal of the Korean Society of Emergency Medicine
2019;30(4):366-370
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
The absence of a gallbladder is a very rare anomaly. While it is usually asymptomatic, it can cause biliary colic symptoms. For these reasons, gallbladder agenesis can be misdiagnosed as a hepatobiliary disease and is diagnosed correctly after surgery. This condition may also be detected through an autopsy for other causative diseases. Abdominal ultrasonography is used as a diagnostic method to detect gallbladder agenesis. Hepatobiliary scintigraphy, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, and endoscopic cholangiopancreatography are also used to make a more accurate diagnosis. In the emergency room, however, gallbladder agenesis can still be misdiagnosed as acute or chronic cholecystitis, leading to the detection of gallbladder agenesis in the operating room. Although some cases of gallbladder agenesis detected in adults during surgery have been reported in Korea, there are no reports of gallbladder agenesis in pediatric patients to date. This paper reports a case of gallbladder agenesis in a symptomatic child that was detected incidentally by a radiographic examination.
