Concomitant functional gallbladder disorder and left-sided gallbladder: A case report

Ectopic gallbladder, occurring in 0.1% to 0.7% of the population, is rarely found in the left liver lobe without situs inversus totalis. Functional gallbladder disorder (FGBD), characterized by biliary pain without stones or sludge, affects 8% of men and 21% of women. No prior cases of concomitant FGBD and left-sided gallbladder have been reported, posing diagnostic and surgical challenges.

A 73-year-old woman with a 20-year history of epigastric pain was diagnosed with a left-sided gallbladder and FGBD based on imaging findings and impaired gallbladder contraction. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed and confirmed the ectopic gallbladder adherent to the left liver lobe. Postoperative pathology revealed no abnormalities, and the patient achieved complete symptom resolution at three-month follow-up.

This is the first reported case of FGBD with a left-sided gallbladder. Preoperative imaging, such as magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography or computed tomography, is crucial for identifying anatomical variations of the gallbladder. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is feasible but requires careful planning to avoid complications.