Spinal surgery for gallstones disease - Case report of a rare differential diagnosis

Abdominal pain in the right upper quadrant is very common for patients to present in the emergency department. Finding the correct diagnosis seems straightforward in most cases but can be challenging.

We present the case of a 75-year-old male with a rare differential diagnosis for right upper quadrant and back pain, initially diagnosed as symptomatic cholelithiasis. After referral to an abdominal surgeon, detailed history taking prior to planned cholecystectomy revealed a record of back pain due to spinal degeneration and fusion surgery, as well as a bulb of the right abdominal wall with hypesthesia in a dermatomal area in the right upper quadrant. Considering these "new" facts, a spinal surgeon was consulted and a foraminal disc hernia of the thoracic vertebrae 11/12 was identified as the cause of symptoms. Instead of the initially planned cholecystectomy, a right-sided facetectomy Th11/12, sequestrectomy and unilateral transpedicular stabilization to decompress the nerve root was successfully performed.

Although, symptomatic cholelithiasis is one of the most common diagnoses for patients presenting with right upper quadrant pain in the presence of gallstones, other differential diagnoses have to be considered. Thoracic disc herniations can present with atypical symptoms that mimic other non-spinal causes and may pose a diagnostic challenge, sometimes even leading to unnecessary surgery.

This case highlights a rare differential diagnosis for one of the most common diseases seen by emergency physicians. It emphasizes the risk of working under time pressure, especially in an emergency setting, which may lead to premature diagnostic error and treatment, endangering patient's care and safety.