Double gallbladder originating from left hepatic duct: a case report and review of literature

Abstract

Background: Double gallbladder is a rare anomaly of the biliary tract. Double gallbladder arising from the left hepatic duct was previously reported only once in the literature.

Case report: A case of symptomatic cholelithiasis in a double gallbladder, diagnosed on preoperative ultrasound, computed tomography (CT) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP) is reported. At laparoscopic cholangiography via the accessory gallbladder no accessory cystic duct was visualized. After conversion to open cholecystectomy, the duplicated gallbladder was found to arise directly from the left hepatic duct; it was resected and the duct repaired.

Conclusions: We emphasize that a careful intraoperative cholangiographic evaluation of the accessory gallbladder is mandatory in order to prevent inadvertent injury to bile ducts, since a large variety of ductal abnormality may exist.

Figure 1.

Preoperative ERCP demonstrating double gallbladder with stones. (See arrows.)

Figure 2.

Intraoperative cholangiogram performed via the accessory gallbladder. (Upper arrow shows the left hepatic duct. Lower arrow points at the accessory gallbladder.)

Figure 3.

Completion T-tube cholangiogram showing continuity of the biliary tree. (Upper arrow shows the left hepatic duct. Lower arrow points at the pancreatic duct.)