Duplication of the gallbladder: Case report of a rare biliary malformation

Duplication of the gall bladder is a rare anatomic variation. The incidence is approximately 1 in 4000 in literature. Preoperative identification of such anomaly and its various types is very important since it can avoid damage to possible vascular and biliary aberrant anatomy during surgery. My case is a 29-year-old male patient with a complaint of epigastric pain which was on and off type. An abdominal ultrasonogram showed multiple calculi in the gallbladder lumen with normal wall thickness and no evidence of intra or extra-hepatic biliary tree dilatation. Another cystic structure was noted adjacent to it with no intraluminal pathology. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography revealed the duplication of the gallbladder and a common cystic duct for both the cavities draining into a common hepatic duct. Multiple filling defects were noted within one of the cavities. The patient was discharged and advised to follow-up. Two months later the patient presented with an episode of acute cholecystitis which was managed by laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Preoperative radiological identification of this anatomic variation helps in planning the surgery accordingly and can prevent perioperative complications.