Congenital duplex gallbladder anomaly presenting as gangrenous perforated intrahepatic cholecystitis mimicking a gas forming liver abscess: a case report and literature review

Abstract

Anomalies of the gallbladder are rare.1 They may be discovered incidentally or when complications or some other pathological processes arise. In such situations they cause diagnostic problems and surgical challenges if they have not been thought of. On table cholangiography if available is indispensable for elucidating the biliary tree anatomy prior to definitive surgery.2 4Anomalies of the gallbladder are divided into three major groups; namely anomalies of formation, anomalies of number and anomalies of position. ’ Anomalies of number range from agenesis to duplication of the gallbladder. Duplication is a rare gallbladder anomaly occurring in 1 in 4000 cases.1 The first documented case of double- gallbladder was in a human sacrificial victim of the Emperor Augustus on the day of the battle of Actium in 31 B.Cf Since then cases of duplicated gallbladder have been described by Blasius in 1674 and Boyden in 1926.' Gross reported comprehensively on gallbladder anomalies in man and animals in 1936.1 Gallbladder anomalies, though rare, are often associated with pathology that makes them clinically and anatomically important to the practicing surgeon. There is no record of gallbladder anomalies in Zimbabwe. The current classification of duplicated gallbladder is the work of Boyden.