Tuberculosis of the gall bladder

Area of Science:

• Gastroenterology
• Infectious Diseases
• Surgical Pathology

Background:

• Tuberculosis (TB) is a significant global health concern, primarily affecting the lungs but capable of manifesting in any organ system.
• Gallbladder tuberculosis is an exceedingly rare form of abdominal TB, often presenting with nonspecific symptoms that can mimic other hepatobiliary pathologies.
• Diagnosis can be challenging due to its rarity and atypical presentation.

Observation:

• This report describes a unique case of a patient diagnosed with tuberculosis of the gallbladder.
• The patient presented with an unusual clinical sign: seedlings (implantations) in the umbilicus.
• This finding suggests a potential route of dissemination or a specific manifestation pattern of gallbladder TB.

Findings:

• Histopathological examination confirmed tuberculosis involving the gallbladder.
• The presence of umbilical seedlings represents a rare and noteworthy finding in the context of gallbladder tuberculosis.
• This case highlights the diverse and sometimes unexpected clinical presentations of extrapulmonary tuberculosis.

Implications:

• This case expands the understanding of the clinical spectrum and potential metastatic patterns of gallbladder tuberculosis.
• It underscores the importance of considering tuberculosis in the differential diagnosis of gallbladder lesions, especially in endemic areas or in immunocompromised individuals.
• The umbilical seeding may offer insights into the pathogenesis and spread of TB in the abdominal cavity.