title: Agenesis of the Gallbladder: Role of Clinical Suspicion and Magnetic Resonance to Avoid Unnecessary Surgery.
abstract: Isolated agenesis of the gallbladder is usually a rare asymptomatic anatomical variation, with an estimated incidence of 10-65 per 100,000. Females are more commonly affected (ratio 3: 1), with the disease typically presenting in the second or third decade of their life. Despite an absent gallbladder, half of the patients present with symptoms similar to biliary colic, which is poorly understood. The rarity of this condition combined with its clinical and radiological features often lead to a wrong preoperative diagnosis so that many patients undergo unnecessary operative intervention. Herein, we present the case of a 56-year-old female with a typical biliary colic who was diagnosed to have gallbladder agenesis. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography allowed correct treatment and prevented an unnecessary intervention.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Bonifatius Hospital, Lingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Eugenio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tagliaferri
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Bonifatius Hospital, Lingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Heinrich
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bergmann
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Bonifatius Hospital, Lingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Sebastian
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hammans
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Bonifatius Hospital, Lingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Aziz
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shiraz
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Bonifatius Hospital, Lingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Eckhard
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stüber
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Bonifatius Hospital, Lingen, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Seidlmayer
keywords: Biliary colic; Conservative management; Gallbladder agenesis; Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography