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Injection of Syngeneic Murine Melanoma Cells to Determine Their Metastatic Potential in the Lungs
Published on: May 24, 2016
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Metastatic Gallbladder Melanoma Presenting as Acute Emphysematous Cholecystitis
Natalie Hall1, Nicole L Grenier2, Samir A Shah3
1Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, RI, USA.
Case Reports in Medicine
|June 2, 2018
Summary
Malignant melanoma can spread to the gallbladder, rarely causing acute emphysematous cholecystitis. This case highlights the importance of considering melanoma recurrence in patients with unexplained abdominal symptoms.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Gastroenterology
- Pathology
Background:
- Malignant melanoma frequently metastasizes distantly.
- Gallbladder metastases from melanoma are common at autopsy but rarely symptomatic.
- Emphysematous cholecystitis is a rare, severe gallbladder infection involving gas formation.
Observation:
- A 77-year-old woman presented with acute emphysematous cholecystitis.
- This was the first clinical manifestation of recurrent melanoma.
- The metastasis was specifically to the gallbladder.
Findings:
- The patient's emphysematous cholecystitis was caused by gallbladder metastasis from recurrent malignant melanoma.
- This represents an unusual presentation of melanoma recurrence.
- Metastatic melanoma to the gallbladder is a significant finding in autopsy studies.
Implications:
- Clinicians should consider metastatic melanoma relapse in patients with a melanoma history presenting with unexplained abdominal symptoms, particularly cholecystitis.
- This case underscores the diverse clinical presentations of melanoma metastasis.
- Early recognition of malignancy relapse is crucial for timely intervention and improved patient outcomes.
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