Y-Shaped Vesica Fellea Duplex Gallbladder Causing Acute Biliary Pancreatitis

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology and Hepatology
• Embryology and Developmental Biology
• Diagnostic Imaging

Background:

• Gallbladder duplication is a rare congenital anomaly arising from the splitting of the gallbladder primordium in early embryonic development.
• While often asymptomatic, symptomatic cases can manifest with abdominal complaints, potentially leading to cholecystitis, cholangitis, biliary colic, or pancreatitis.

Observation:

• A case report details a 35-year-old female presenting with acute gallstone pancreatitis.
• Initial radiological diagnosis was challenging, necessitating advanced imaging techniques.

Findings:

• Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and blood tests aided in diagnosis.
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) confirmed the diagnosis of duplex gallbladder and cleared the bile duct.

Implications:

• Duplex gallbladder may be associated with other biliary anomalies, increasing the risk of complications like biliary pancreatitis.
• Accurate diagnosis is critical, as gallbladder duplication can be missed on standard imaging, requiring meticulous surgical planning for cholecystectomy to avoid bile duct and vascular injury.