Gallbladder Agenesis / 한국간담췌외과학회지

ABSTRACT

Gallbladder agenesis is a rare condition of hepatobiliary congenital anomaly. It is caused by failure of development of the caudal division of the primitive hepatic diverticulum or failure of vacuolization after the solid phase of embryonic development. It is divided into 2 groups (1) those whose conditions are discovered clinically because of persistent symptoms and proven by abdominal exploration with operative cholangiography; and (2) those who are asymptomatic during life and whose conditions are discovered only at necropsy. If symptoms are present, they are unlikely to be related to gallbladder disease. It is impossible, at present, to make a preoperative diagnosis of gallbladder agenesis. Operative cholangiography is absolutely necessary to rule out an intrahepatic gall bladder. Confirmation at surgery and autopsy requires thorough dissection of the biliary tract and liver bed. Therefore, we presented this case with a brief review of the related literature.