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Case Reports
. 2013 Jan 17:2013:bcr2012007857.
doi: 10.1136/bcr-2012-007857.

Gallbladder volvulus: a case of mimicry

Affiliations
Case Reports

Gallbladder volvulus: a case of mimicry

Maria Sangeetha Vedanayagam et al. BMJ Case Rep. .

Abstract

Torsion of the gallbladder resulting in a volvulus is a rare clinical finding that poses a diagnostic challenge preoperatively to both surgeons and radiologists. It is thought to occur secondary to a redundant mesentery where rotation of the gallbladder occurs along the axis of the cystic duct and cystic artery. Gallbladder volvulus commonly presents as acute cholecystitis and is rarely diagnosed preoperatively. An early emergency laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the preferred treatment. Early consideration of this diagnosis enables prompt surgical intervention and quick postoperative recovery periods.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
CT scan of the abdomen in sagittal section showing distended gallbladder and thickening of small bowel in the area of concern that led to emergency laparoscopy.
Figure 2
Figure 2
CT scan of the abdomen in horizontal section showing distended gallbladder and thickening of small bowel in the area of concern that led to emergency laparoscopy.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Necrotic structure identifed during diagnostic laparoscopy.

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