A ciliated foregut cyst in a gallbladder: the smallest recorded

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Surgical Pathology
• Embryology

Background:

• Ciliated foregut cysts (CFCs) are rare congenital anomalies originating from embryological foregut remnants.
• While typically benign, CFCs carry a risk of malignant transformation into squamous cell carcinoma, a complication with a poor prognosis.

Observation:

• A female patient presented with upper quadrant pain, leading to abdominal ultrasound (US).
• A 5 mm gallbladder cyst was detected in 2010, growing to 7 mm and protruding into the lumen in subsequent US.
• The cyst was surgically removed and diagnosed as a CFC of the gallbladder.

Findings:

• The diagnosed gallbladder CFC measured 7 mm, representing the smallest dimension reported in medical literature.
• Congenital gallbladder cysts are infrequently diagnosed.
• Ultrasound demonstrated sufficient characteristics for a definitive diagnosis, rendering other imaging modalities unnecessary.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of recognizing rare gallbladder pathologies like CFCs.
• Early detection and diagnosis via ultrasound are crucial for timely intervention.
• Laparoscopic surgery is the preferred treatment modality for gallbladder CFCs, offering a minimally invasive approach.