Sterile abscess mimicking an abdominal tumor 8 years after laparoscopic cholecystectomy

Spillage of gallstones (6-40%) are common during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Development of intraperitoneal and perihepatic abscesses are relatively rare (<0.1%). However, it may pose a diagnostic dilemma mimicking intra-abdominal tumor due to their similar radiologic appearance.

We present a 57-year-old woman with history of cholecystectomy 8 years prior who presented with a suspected diagnosis of incarcerated port site hernia with associated radiological evidence of an intra-abdominal tumor. The histological examination of the resected tumor revealed a chronic abscess. It reminds us the importance of careful removal of the stones especially in the setting of acute cholecystitis and should prompt the treating physician about this late possible complication.