Left-sided gallbladder associated with congenital liver cyst

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Anatomy
• Congenital Anomalies

Background:

• A left-sided gallbladder is a rare congenital anomaly.
• It is defined by the gallbladder's attachment to the liver's left lateral segment, left of the interlobar fissure and round ligament.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a previously undescribed association between a left-sided gallbladder and a congenital liver cyst.
• To highlight the clinical presentation and management of this rare combined anomaly.

Main Methods:

• Case presentation of two female patients (aged 42 and 70) with a left-sided gallbladder and congenital liver cyst.
• Surgical intervention details including incidental finding, cholecystectomy, and cyst de-roofing.
• Post-operative follow-up for symptom resolution.

Main Results:

• The left-sided gallbladder was an incidental finding in one patient and associated with chronic calculous cholecystitis in the other.
• Both patients had congenital liver cysts.
• Both patients recovered uneventfully and remained symptom-free at long-term follow-up (12 and 9 years).

Conclusions:

• The simultaneous occurrence of a left-sided gallbladder and a congenital liver cyst is reported for the first time.
• This case series underscores the importance of recognizing and managing rare congenital biliary and hepatic anomalies.