Gall-bladder agenesis presenting with obstructive jaundice and elevated CA 19-9.
We report the case of an 81-year-old man with agenesis of the gall-bladder that presented with choledocholithiasis, obstructive jaundice, and very high CA 19-9 serum level (2765 U/ml). On ultrasound and CT scan, the gallbladder was not visualised and it was assumed shrunken and filled with gall-stones. After repeated unsuccessful endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, the patient was operated on for common bile duct (CBD) stones. At laparotomy the gall-bladder was not identified but a 3 cm long gall-stone was removed from the CBD. After decompression of the CBD all symptoms disappeared and the CA 19-9 returned to normal. We believe that this is the first report in the literature of gall-bladder agenesis presenting with high serum level of CA 19-9.
Trompetas
V
V
2nd Surgical Department, 'Saint Savvas' Anticancer Hospital, Athens, Greece. vtrompetas@yahoo.gr
Panagopoulos
E
E
Ramantanis
G
G
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen / Q000097:blood; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000002:abnormalities*; D006801:Humans; D041781:Jaundice, Obstructive / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D008297:Male
D018395:CA-19-9 Antigen