Intramural gallstones mimicking typical lithiasic cholecystitis

South Med J. 2011 Jan;104(1):59-60. doi: 10.1097/SMJ.0b013e3181f3d87c.

Abstract

Gallstone disease is common in the western population. Intramural gallstones are rare, with only a few cases reported in the literature. We present a 30-year-old female patient with typical symptoms of cholecystitis. The patient underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy one month later. Dark greenish intramural gallstones were identified right after the resection of the gallbladder, and the pathologic examination revealed adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder. To our knowledge, this is the first report of intramural gallstones presenting with cholecystitis. The presence of intramural gallstones is not easily detected during ultrasound examination, and does not affect the natural course or treatment of gallstone disease.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic
  • Cholecystitis / diagnosis*
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Female
  • Gallbladder / pathology*
  • Gallbladder / surgery
  • Gallstones / diagnosis*
  • Gallstones / surgery
  • Humans