[Right hepatic lobe agenesis. Where is the gallbladder?]

Area of Science:

• Hepatology
• Surgical Gastroenterology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Liver anomalies are infrequent, with agenesis of the right hepatic lobe being a rare congenital condition.
• This condition is often asymptomatic and typically discovered incidentally via advanced imaging or during surgical procedures.

Observation:

• A 51-year-old woman with symptomatic gallstones presented for cholecystectomy.
• The patient was diagnosed with agenesis of the right hepatic lobe, a rare liver anomaly.

Findings:

• The surgical management of symptomatic gallstones in the presence of right hepatic lobe agenesis presented significant technical challenges.
• Accurate preoperative diagnosis and awareness of potential surgical complexities are crucial for successful outcomes.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of recognizing rare liver anomalies for surgical planning.
• Enhanced understanding of right hepatic lobe agenesis can improve patient care and surgical strategies for related conditions.