title: Isolated agenesis of the gallbladder. An intraoperative problem.
abstract: Agenesis of the gallbladder and cystic duct is a rare congenital malformation. In 40-70% of cases this anomaly is associated with other gastrointestinal, skeletal, cardiovascular and genitourinary malformations. Lithiasis of the common bile duct is present in 25-50% of cases. In the majority of cases patients are asymptomatic or have symptoms compatible with a biliary disorder. A preoperative diagnosis is extremely difficult and the absence of the gallbladder is often an intraoperative finding. The authors report a case of isolated agenesis of the gallbladder. The relative embryology, development, diagnostic pitfalls, intraoperative behaviour and therapeutic strategies are discussed.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Department of General Surgery & Organ Transplantation, University of Naples Federico II, Naples.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Belli
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: D'Agostino
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iannelli
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Rotondano
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ceccarelli
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002758:Cholangiography; D002763:Cholecystectomy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000002:abnormalities*; D005705:Gallbladder Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000601:surgery; D006555:Hernia, Ventral / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging