Isolated Gallbladder Tuberculosis Mimicking Chronic Cholecystitis: A Case Report.

Area of Science:

• Medicine
• Pathology
• Infectious Diseases

Background:

• Isolated gallbladder tuberculosis (GBTB) is an uncommon presentation of tuberculosis, even in endemic regions.
• Nonspecific clinical and imaging findings frequently lead to misdiagnosis of GBTB.
• Definitive diagnosis of GBTB relies on histopathological evidence of granulomatous inflammation with caseous necrosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case of isolated gallbladder tuberculosis.
• To emphasize the importance of high clinical suspicion and routine histopathological examination for diagnosing GBTB, especially in patients with a history of tuberculosis.

Main Methods:

• Case report of a 50-year-old male patient.
• Clinical presentation included imaging suggestive of gallbladder perforation and chronic cholecystitis.
• Diagnosis was confirmed through histopathological examination of the resected specimen.

Main Results:

• Histopathological examination revealed granulomatous inflammation with caseous necrosis, confirming gallbladder tuberculosis.
• The patient's presentation mimicked other gallbladder pathologies, underscoring diagnostic challenges.

Conclusions:

• GBTB is a rare condition that requires a high index of suspicion for timely diagnosis.
• Histopathological evaluation of resected gallbladder specimens is crucial for definitive diagnosis of GBTB.
• Early diagnosis and management are vital, particularly in patients with a known history of tuberculosis.