Double gallbladder masquerading as a choledochal cyst: A case report

Abstract

Double gallbladder (GB) is a very rare congenital anomaly of the billiary apparatus. It must be diagnosed preoperatively or the second GB may be missed during surgery. An 18-year-old male presented with pain in epigastric region for four months with nausea and vomiting. General physical examination revealed no abnormality. Ultrasonography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreaticography (MRCP) revealed multiple small calculi in the gallbladder and presence of a cystic diverticulum near porta hepatis with multiple intra cystic stones with normal common bile duct (CBD). With a provisional diagnosis of choledochal cyst abdomen was opened through extended right subcostal incision. GB was carefully dissected from GB fossa. After separation of GB another bulging was visible in the GB fossa. With carefull dissection, it was found to be another GB filled with multiple stones with separate cystic duct and artery which were carefully ligated and cholecystectomy of both the GBs was done. After ensuring proper hemostasis, the abdomen was closed en mass. Postoperative period was uneventful and the patient was discharged home on 7th postoperative day. Double gallbladder which is a rare congenital anamoly of gall bladder may mimick choledochal cyst on investigations MRCP. Surgeons should differentiate between the two and remove both the gall bladder either by open or laparoscopic method depending on the expertise.