Out of sight but kept in mind: complications and imitations of dropped gallstones

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this article is to describe the diagnostic pitfalls caused by dropped gallstones left in situ after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

Conclusion: Dropped gallstones may rarely become symptomatic, causing recurrent abscesses. Diagnosis is challenging due to unusual clinical presentations, myriad locations, and radiologically occult calculi. Even asymptomatic dropped gallstones may cause diagnostic confusion by masquerading as intraperitoneal neoplastic deposits. Radiologists should be aware of techniques for identifying and retrieving dropped gallstones and be wary of their complications and imitations in patients who have undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy.