Fatal spontaneous gallbladder variceal bleeding in a patient with alcoholic cirrhosis.
Gallbladder varices are unusual ectopic varices that may develop in patients with portal hypertension, particularly in those with portal vein occlusion. In rare instances, these varices may cause hemobilia, life-threatening bleeding, or even rupture of the gallbladder. We report the first case of a 41-year-old man with alcoholic cirrhosis and patent portal vein who developed massive hemoperitoneum from spontaneous rupture of varices in the gallbladder fossa. The diagnosis of gallbladder varices eluded conventional imaging and was made only at autopsy. Gallbladder variceal hemorrhage is a rare, but potentially catastrophic complication of cirrhosis.
Chu
Eric C
EC
Division of Gastroenterology, Loma Linda University Medical Center, Loma Linda, California 92354, USA.
Chick
Wilson
W
Hillebrand
Donald J
DJ
Hu
Ke-Qin
KQ
D000328:Adult; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000098:blood supply*; D006465:Hemoperitoneum / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D008104:Liver Cirrhosis, Alcoholic / Q000150:complications*; D008297:Male; D012422:Rupture, Spontaneous; D014648:Varicose Veins