Triple gallbladder, a rare congenital abnormality resulting from the incomplete regression of rudimentary bile ducts, often goes undetected until incidentally discovered during imaging studies. This report presents the case of a 38-year-old male with intermittent abdominal pain, food intolerance, and nausea. Physical examination findings included tenderness in the right hypochondrium and a positive Murphy's sign. Laboratory tests revealed leukocytosis and elevated liver enzymes, while abdominal ultrasound identified three fluid-filled sacs in the expected gallbladder fossa location, with one showing cholelithiasis and mild wall thickening in all three. Further evaluation via magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) unveiled three incompletely separated tubular cystic structures draining into a solitary cystic duct, confirming the diagnosis as trifoliate gallbladder type 3. This case highlights the importance of considering rare entities like triple gallbladder in the differential diagnosis of biliary pathologies, necessitating a high index of suspicion and comprehensive imaging to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate management, as exemplified by successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10652164 | PMC |
http://dx.doi.org/10.7759/cureus.47180 | DOI Listing |
Key Clinical Message: Triple gallbladder, an extremely rare congenital anomaly, can mimic more common biliary conditions. Accurate diagnosis through imaging and a multidisciplinary approach is essential for timely surgical management, preventing complications, and ensuring better patient outcomes.
Abstract: The multiplication of the gallbladder is a congenital malformation with a rare incidence of 1 in 4000 patients, among which the trifoliate gallbladder, even rarer, is included.
Cureus
October 2023
Internal Medicine, Calcutta National Medical College, Kolkata, IND.
Triple gallbladder, a rare congenital abnormality resulting from the incomplete regression of rudimentary bile ducts, often goes undetected until incidentally discovered during imaging studies. This report presents the case of a 38-year-old male with intermittent abdominal pain, food intolerance, and nausea. Physical examination findings included tenderness in the right hypochondrium and a positive Murphy's sign.
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