Triple gallbladder, a rare congenital abnormality resulting from the incomplete regression of rudimentary bile ducts, often goes undetected until incidentally discovered during imaging studies. This report presents the case of a 38-year-old male with intermittent abdominal pain, food intolerance, and nausea. Physical examination findings included tenderness in the right hypochondrium and a positive Murphy's sign. Laboratory tests revealed leukocytosis and elevated liver enzymes, while abdominal ultrasound identified three fluid-filled sacs in the expected gallbladder fossa location, with one showing cholelithiasis and mild wall thickening in all three. Further evaluation via magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) unveiled three incompletely separated tubular cystic structures draining into a solitary cystic duct, confirming the diagnosis as trifoliate gallbladder type 3. This case highlights the importance of considering rare entities like triple gallbladder in the differential diagnosis of biliary pathologies, necessitating a high index of suspicion and comprehensive imaging to ensure accurate diagnosis and appropriate management, as exemplified by successful laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
Keywords: magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (mrcp); maximum intensity projection (mip); murphy's sign; trifoliate gallbladder type 3; triple gallbladder.
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