An unusual variation of gallbladder duplication originating from the right hepatic duct

Duplication of the gallbladder is a rare congenital biliary anomaly and may present with similar pathology to that seen in a single gallbladder. We present a previously unreported case of a symptomatic duplex gallbladder arising directly from a long segment of the right hepatic duct.

A 23 years old female was referred to our team with right upper quadrant pain suggestive of biliary colic. Ultrasound, contrast enhanced CT and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed a normal gallbladder and a separate cystic lesion containing multiple gallstones and communicating with the right main hepatic duct. Surgical management involved cholecystectomy, resection of the cystic lesion from the right hepatic duct and reconstruction with hepaticojejunostomy. The patient made a good recovery from surgery, reporting complete resolution of symptoms. Histology of the cystic lesion confirmed duplicate gallbladder with features of severe chronic cholecystitis.

Symptomatic duplicate gallbladders warrant cholecystectomy and in more straightforward variations, in which a shared, single cystic duct is encountered, a laparoscopic approach is feasible. Surgical management may be more complicated for anomalies in which the duplicate gallbladder is connected separately and more proximally in the biliary tree.

Trabecular duplicate gallbladder, in which a second gallbladder originates from the right or left hepatic duct is extremely rare. We report a previously undescribed variation, in which the gallbladder is attached over a wide area to the right hepatic duct and outline the successful surgical management undertaken.