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[Agenesis of the gallbladder in adults: a laparoscopic diagnosis].

Failure to find the gallbladder at the usual or most common atypical sites during surgery for cholecystolithiasis is a rare but known problem. Although ultrasonography has 95% sensitivity for the diagnosis of cholelithiasis, occasionally a small contracted gallbladder with stones and chronic cholecystitis will be difficult to visualize and can lead to erroneous interpretation. We report on the case of a patient presenting with abdominal colic and ultrasonographically confirmed cholecystolithiasis. During laparoscopic cholecystectomy, the gallbladder could not be detected. After laparoscopic staging followed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography and abdominal computed tomography, agenesis of the gallbladder was confirmed. This method can be considered for diagnosis of gallbladder agenesis without the need for laparotomy and thorough exploration.

Adult↗

Functional characterization of Na(+)/H(+) exchangers in primary cultures of prairie dog gallbladder.

Gallbladder Na(+) absorption is linked to gallstone formation in prairie dogs. We previously reported Na(+)/H(+) exchanger (NHE1-3) expression in native gallbladder tissues. Here we report the functional characterization of NHE1, NHE2 and NHE3 in primary cultures of prairie dog gallbladder epithelial cells (GBECs). Immunohistochemical studies showed that GBECs grown to confluency are homogeneous epithelial cells of gastrointestinal origin. Electron microscopic analysis of GBECs demonstrated that the cells form polarized monolayers characterized by tight junctions and apical microvilli. GBECs grown on Snapwells exhibited polarity and developed transepithelial short-circuit current, I(sc), (11.6 +/- 0.5 microA. cm(-2)), potential differences, V(t) (2.1 +/- 0.2 mV), and resistance, R(t) (169 +/- 12 omega. cm(2)). NHE activity in GBECs assessed by measuring dimethylamiloride-inhibitable (22)Na(+) uptake under a H(+) gradient was the same whether grown on permeable Snapwells or plastic wells. The basal rate of (22)Na(+) uptake was 21.4 +/- 1.3 nmol x mg prot(-1) x min(-1), of which 9.5 +/- 0.7 (approximately 45%) was mediated through apically-restricted NHE. Selective inhibition with HOE-694 revealed that NHE1, NHE2 and NHE3 accounted for approximately 6%, approximately 66% and approximately 28% of GBECs' total NHE activity, respectively. GBECs exhibited saturable NHE kinetics ( V(max) 9.2 +/- 0.3 nmol x mg prot(-1) x min(-1); K(m) 11.4 +/- 1.4 m M Na(+)). Expression of NHE1, NHE2 and NHE3 mRNAs was confirmed by RT-PCR analysis. These results demonstrate that the primary cultures of GBECs exhibit Na(+) transport characteristics similar to native gallbladder tissues, suggesting that these cells can be used as a tool for studying the mechanisms of gallbladder ion transport both under physiologic conditions and during gallstone formation.

Animals↗

Making the diagnosis of biliary atresia using the triangular cord sign and gallbladder length.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the accuracy and utility of the triangular cord sign and gallbladder length in diagnosing biliary atresia by sonography. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty fasted infants with cholestatic jaundice aged 2-12 weeks were examined sonographically using a 5-10 MHz linear array transducer, focusing on the triangular cord sign (as described by Choi et al. [1]), the gallbladder, and ducts. The triangular cord is defined as a triangular or tubular echogenic density seen immediately cranial to the portal vein bifurcation; it represents the fibrotic remnant of the obliterated cord in biliary atresia. The findings were blinded to blood chemistry, (99 m)Tc-DISIDA hepatobiliary scintigraphy, and liver biopsy. Diagnosis of biliary atresia was confirmed at surgery and histology. Non-biliary atresia infants resolved medically. Comparative charges of the various investigations was made. RESULTS: ++ Twelve infants had biliary atresia, and ten demonstrated a definite triangular cord. The two false-negatives had small or nonvisualized gallbladders. No false-positives were recorded. Gallbladder length ranged from 0-1.45 cm with a mean of 0. 52 cm in biliary atresia compared to a mean of 2.39 cm in nonbiliary atresia infants. (99 m)Tc-DISIDA hepatobiliary scintigraphy showed no excretion (false-positive) in 23 % of nonbiliary atresia cases. Scintigraphy and liver biopsy charges were 2 and 6 times that of sonography, respectively. CONCLUSION: The triangular cord sign and gallbladder length together are noninvasive, inexpensive, and very useful markers for biliary atresia.

Bile Ducts, Extrahepatic↗

Spread of gallbladder carcinoma: CT evaluation with pathologic correlation.

BACKGROUND: To assess the accuracy of computed tomographic (CT) imaging in the detection of spread and staging of gallbladder carcinoma. METHODS: CT findings of spread of gallbladder carcinoma in 59 Japanese patients who underwent radical surgery were correlated retrospectively with pathologic findings. RESULTS: The incidence of histologically proven nodal involvement was 54% (32 patients) and the most common spread of gallbladder carcinoma. The sensitivities in CT detection of N1 and N2 nodal involvement were 36% and 47%, respectively; positive predictive values were 94% and 92%, respectively. Direct extension to the liver, extrahepatic bile duct, and gastrointestinal tract or pancreas were histologically confirmed in 24, 18, and five patients. The sensitivities in the CT detection of direct spread to the liver of less than 2 cm, more than 2 cm, the extrahepatic bile duct, and the gastrointestinal tract or pancreas were 65%, 100%, 50%, and 57%, respectively; positive predictive values were 77%, 100%, 90%, and 100%, respectively. The incidence of liver metastases and involvement of interaortocaval nodes were 7% and 16%, respectively. The sensitivities in CT detection of liver metastases and involvement of interaortocaval nodes were 75% and 21%, respectively; positive predictive values were 100% and 86%, respectively. CT could not detect direct spread to omentum and peritoneal seedings. CONCLUSION: For detecting the spread of gallbladder carcinoma, CT imaging has low to moderate sensitivity; however, CT imaging can help in determining resectability and in planning the treatment, especially in advanced-stage gallbladder carcinoma, because of a high positive predictive value.

Adult↗

Gallbladder varices: demonstration of direct communication to intrahepatic portal veins by color doppler sonography and CT during arterial portography.

Gallbladder varices were correctly diagnosed by color Doppler sonography and computed tomography during arterial portography (CTAP) in two patients with portal vein thrombosis. One patient with multiple hepatocellular carcinomas showed extrahepatic and intrahepatic portal vein occlusion by a tumor thrombus. The other patient, with liver cirrhosis, had a portal vein thrombosis. Color Doppler sonography clearly showed the portal vein occlusion, cavernous transformation of collateral veins, and gallbladder varices that drained into the intrahepatic portal venous branches. The intrahepatic portal venous branch, connecting to the gallbladder varices, exhibited reverse flow from the periphery to the hilum of the liver. CTAP also demonstrated gallbladder varices communicating directly with the intrahepatic portal vein branches in both patients. Gallbladder varices developed as a venous collateral because of extrahepatic portal vein occlusion. Color Doppler sonography and CTAP are useful for detecting these varices and planning biliary surgery in patients with portal vein thrombosis.

Aged↗

Gallbladder carcinoma: color Doppler sonography.

This study, based on color Doppler and pulsed Doppler sonographic results of 13 cases with gallbladder carcinoma, eight cases of adenomyomatosis, and eight cases of tumefactive biliary sludge, shows that the presence or absence of blood flow signals helps in the differentiation between gallbladder carcinoma and tumefactive biliary sludge (84.6% sensitivity and 80.0% specificity). However, color Doppler sonography is still not fully capable of distinguishing all gallbladder carcinoma, and a further increase in Doppler sensitivity is mandatory for this purpose. Visualization of high-velocity blood flow within the lesion made gallbladder carcinoma more likely than benign tumor. In contrast, there was no difference in the resistive index between gallbladder carcinoma, adenomyomatosis, and normal subject groups, and the significance of the resistive index is a subject of future study.

Adenoma↗

Factors influencing postoperative hospital mortality and long-term survival after radical resection for stage IV gallbladder carcinoma.

Factors influencing postoperative hospital mortality and long-term survival after radical resection of stage IV gallbladder carcinoma remain unclear. The objective of this study was to identify characteristics of patients who are good candidates in terms of surgical risk and long-term survival for radical resection of stage IV gallbladder carcinoma. A retrospective study was made of attempted surgical cure in 72 patients with stage IV gallbladder carcinoma. There were 14 postoperative hospital deaths (19%). Eleven (19%) of the 58 patients discharged from hospital survived for more than 3 years. Multivariate analysis indicated male gender, extended right hepatic lobectomy in a cholestatic liver, and portal vein resection as independent risk factors that correlated with hospital death. Distant metastasis was the sole independent factor that related negatively with long-term survival by multivariate analysis. Subset analysis was performed with combinations of the four independent factors obtained by multivariate analyses. The hospital mortality rate and the 3-year survival rate in the 44 patients without portal vein involvement were 9% and 28%, respectively, and were 3% and 27%, for the 31 women in this group. The highest 3-year survival rate (39%) was observed in the 26 patients without distant metastasis and portal vein involvement, despite a hospital mortality rate of 12%. Better patient selection may improve the outcome of radical surgery for stage IV gallbladder carcinoma. These data may be useful in designing future trials of the surgical treatment of advanced gallbladder carcinoma.

Aged↗

Cholecystoduodenal fistula in a porcelain gallbladder.

Calcification of the gallbladder wall (porcelain gallbladder) is rare. Its appearance is quite characteristic on plain films, ultrasonography and computed tomography. Sporadic cases of cholecystitis have been described in porcelain gallbladders. Enterobiliary fistula may complicate acute or chronic cholecystitis in non-calcified gallbladder. We report a unusual case of acute cholecystitis with cholecystoduodenal fistula in a porcelain gallbladder.

Aged↗

Variation in the risk for liver and gallbladder cancers in socioeconomic and occupational groups in Sweden with etiological implications.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the associations between socioeconomic/occupational factors and liver cancer at various anatomic sites (including primary liver, gallbladder and other cancers). METHODS: We carried out a follow-up study on the economically active Swedish population, based on the Swedish Family-Cancer Database. Standardized incidence ratios (SIRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated in different social classes and occupations. RESULTS: For primary liver cancer, farmers were at a decreased risk; increased risks were observed for male sales agents, journalists, seamen, waiters, cooks and female beverage manufacture workers. Similar patterns were observed for gallbladder cancer; workers employed as journalists, sales agents, cooks and stewards, and public safety workers showed increased risk. Only male transport workers showed increased risk of cancers in other parts. CONCLUSIONS: Occupations with high consumption of alcohol and/or high prevalence of smoking associated with a risk of liver and gallbladder cancers. The present study suggests that the effects of socioeconomic factors on liver cancer of different subsites are similar; alcohol drinking is a risk factor of gallbladder cancer because of the covariation of primary liver and gallbladder cancers in occupational groups.

Adult↗

Gallbladder carcinoma and surgical treatment.

Gallbladder carcinoma shows an unusual geographic and demographic distribution. It is relatively uncommon in Europe, but more frequent in Israel, Chile, Bolivia and in Southwestern Native Americans in the United States. Chronic cholecystitis, choledochal cysts, high body mass index, female gender, age, nicotine and industrial exposure to carcinogens are associated risk factors. The frequency of gallbladder cancer in all operations of the biliary tract is about 1-3%, reflecting the commonest biliary tract malignancy. Preoperative imaging, including ultrasound and computed tomography (CT), may reveal signs indicative of the presence of malignancy. However, most patients are not diagnosed prior to surgical intervention. Survival depends on the ability to achieve a curative resection, including hepatectomy and lymph node dissection in patients with local extended tumour according to the stage of the disease. Overall, the curative resection rates for gallbladder carcinoma range from 10% to 30%. Regional and para-aortic lymphadenectomy provides no survival benefit for patients with para-aortic disease, which has a negative influence on prognosis equivalent to that of distant metastases. A survival benefit is seen only in selected patients with metastases limited to the regional nodes. Taking a sample biopsy of the para-aortic nodes before starting surgery is recommended because these nodes are involved more frequently than expected. For those patients with unresectable cancer, palliative surgical, endoscopic or radiological bypass procedures can improve quality of life. Other approaches to the management of advanced tumours include systemic chemotherapy or combined chemo-radiotherapy and need further evaluation. Early-stage tumours are often discovered as an incidental finding during (laparoscopic) cholecystectomy or on histological examination of the gallbladder, mostly necessitating relaparotomy and extensive resection. In the following, management of patients with gallbladder cancer at different stages and situations is discussed.

Carcinoma↗

Mutational analysis of BRAF in gallbladder carcinomas in association with K-ras and p53 mutations and microsatellite instability.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the genetic changes involved in the pathogenesis of gallbladder cancer. The aim of this study was to examine the presence of mutations in exon 15 of the B-raf gene to investigate its role in gallbladder carcinogenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined the mutational status in exon 15 of B-raf gene in 21 gallbladder carcinoma specimens and investigated its association with the presence of K-ras and p53 alterations, microsatellite instability and the clinicopathological features of tumors. RESULTS: B-raf mutations were observed in 7 of 21 (33%) gallbladder carcinomas examined, and all were located at the hot spot codon 599 of exon 15. K-ras and B-raf mutations were never in the same specimens. CONCLUSIONS: B-raf gene mutations seem to be a quite common event in gallbladder carcinomas, implying that B-raf may play an important role in the pathogenesis of this tumor.

Adult↗

Analysis of trefoil factor family protein 1 (TFF1, pS2) expression in chronic cholecystitis and gallbladder carcinoma.

Trefoil factor family protein 1 (TFF1, pS2) interacts with mucins to protect gastrointestinal epithelium against injury and contributes to mucosal repair by promoting epithelial cell migration and restitution. Moreover, TFF1 has antiproliferative and anti-apoptotic effects and promotes cell scattering and invasion. We investigated TFF1 expression in healthy and inflamed non-neoplastic gallbladder mucosa as well as in gallbladder carcinomas (n=57) and corresponding metastases (n=18), using a tissue microarray technique. TFF1 immunoreactivity was absent in healthy mucosa, focally observed in epithelium with inflammatory changes and present in 35% of primary and 24% of metastatic cancer tissues. Immunoreactivity significantly decreased with increasing tumour stage (P=0.009) and increasing tumour grade (P=0.001). Patients with TFF1 positive tumours showed a more favourable outcome compared to patients with TFF1 negative tumours in univariate analysis (P=0.006). However, multivariate analysis proved resection status and tumour grade as the only independent prognostic factors. In conclusion, TFF1 is expressed in inflamed non-neoplastic gallbladder epithelium and in low stage and low grade gallbladder carcinomas. Thus, TFF1 may be the missing link between gallstones, chronic cholecystitis and gallbladder cancer. Further studies are needed to evaluate whether TFF1 immunostaining can be used as a diagnostic tool to identify patients with a more favourable outcome.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Ectopic liver (choristoma) associated with the gallbladder encountered during laparoscopic cholecystectomy: a case report.

Ectopic liver has been but rarely described usually in the vicinity of liver such as on the gallbladder, hepatic ligaments, diaphragm, thoracic cavity, adrenal glands, pancreas, omentum, spleen, esophagus and umbilical cord. A simple classification for anomalous liver tissues found on the wall of gallbladder is 1. Accessory liver lobe 2. Ectopic nodule 3. Aberrant microscopic tissue. Ectopic nodules of liver tissue attached to the gallbladder are completely detached from the liver and has been described by various names such as accessory lobe, ectopic liver, accessory liver and heterotopic liver but the specific pathological term for this entity is choristoma introduced by Albert in 1904 meaning displacement. Several possible mechanisms may explain ectopic liver at various sites such as the development of an accessory lobe of the liver with atrophy or regression of the original connection to the main liver or migration of pars hepatica to the rudiment of various organs. In this paper we present a case of ectopic liver or choristoma attached to the gallbladder encountered during an elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy which was successfully removed with the gallbladder.

Aged↗

Does laparoscopy worsen the prognosis for incidental gallbladder cancer?

BACKGROUND: More than 75% of cholecystectomies are done laparoscopically and less than one-third of gallbladder carcinomas are known presurgically. It is supposed that the laparoscopic technique could adversely affect the prognosis of gallbladder cancer. METHODS: The C-A-E has started a register of all cases of cholecystectomy with a postoperative incidental finding of gallbladder carcinoma. The aim is to compare the prospectively collected follow-up data on the outcome of these patients and to answer the question of whether laparoscopic cholecystectomy affects the prognosis of incidental gallbladder cancer. RESULTS: A total of 377 cases have been recorded so far. These include 201 patients treated by the laparoscopic procedure, 119 by an open procedure, and 57 by an intraoperative conversion. The survival shows a significantly better life expectancy for the patients treated laparoscopically. CONCLUSION: The life expectancy is higher for the laparoscopically treated patients and this cannot be explained by the fact that the laparoscopic technique is used to treat the earlier stages of cancer. The access technique does not seem to influence the prognosis for gallbladder carcinomas.

Carcinoma↗

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy and gallbladder cancer.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to assess the treatment of patients in whom gallbladder cancer was diagnosed in the course of histological examination of their gallbladders, which were removed during laparoscopic cholecystectomy. METHODS: Six (0.29%) cancers were found among 2,017 patients who underwent laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Four of these cancers (0.22%) were in 1,831 gallbladders with normal walls, two (1.0%) were in 186 with thicker walls, and two (1.8%) were in 109 patients in whom conversion was necessary because of extensive inflammation and thickening of gallbladder wall. RESULTS: In two cases, the cancer did not cross the muscular layer. In one of them, no further treatment was undertaken. In the second case, liver resection and lymphadenectomy was performed. In the other four cases, dissemination was diagnosed during laparotomy, precluding radical treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Thickened and infiltrated gallbladder walls in patients without preoperative symptoms of cholecystitis should raise a suspicion of cancer. The surgeon should be prepared to perform a conversion, an intraoperative histological examination, and an appropriate radical operation, if necessary.

Aged↗

Axillary lymph node metastasis following resection of abdominal wall laparoscopic port site recurrence of gallbladder cancer.

Abdominal wall port site recurrence of gallbladder cancer is well described in the literature in patients that have undergone laparoscopic cholecystectomy with the incidental finding of a gallbladder cancer. The etiology and consequences of this type of metastatic recurrence are unclear. This report describes two cases with the unique sequelae of the interval development of nodal metastases to the axillary lymph nodes following resection of an abdominal wall laparoscopic port site recurrence of gallbladder cancer. The first case involves a patient who developed an isolated left axillary lymph node metastasis approximately 10 months after undergoing resection of a left-sided abdominal wall port site recurrence for a T2 gallbladder cancer. The original tumor had been found at laparoscopic cholecystectomy and definitively treated surgically approximately 3 years earlier. The second case involves a patient who developed isolated nodal metastases to the right axillary lymph nodes approximately 4 months after undergoing resection of right-sided abdominal wall port site recurrence, segment 4/5 hepatic resection, and portal lymphadenectomy for a T2 gallbladder cancer. This tumor had originally been found at laparoscopic cholecystectomy approximately 1 year earlier. These unique sequelae of the interval development of nodal metastases to the axillary lymph nodes demonstrated in both cases has not been previously reported.

Abdominal Wall↗

Long-term survival of a patient with advanced adenosquamous carcinoma of the gallbladder after radical resection.

Patients with adenosquamous carcinoma of the gallbladder tend to present with a bulky tumor that frequently displays involvement with adjacent organs, and diagnosis is usually made at an advanced stage. This may contribute to the poor prognosis of patients with adenosquamous carcinoma of the gallbladder compared to patients with adenocarcinoma. We present herein a patient with advanced adenosquamous carcinoma of the gallbladder who is doing well with no evidence of recurrence more than 5 years after radical resection. A 72-year-old woman complaining of generalized fatigue and loss of appetite was referred to our hospital with suspected cholelithiasis, following ultrasonography done at another hospital. On admission, abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed an irregularly shaped solid mass extending from the fundus of the gallbladder, and invasion of the stomach was strongly suspected. Gallbladder carcinoma was diagnosed, and radical resection, including partial gastrectomy, was performed. Histopathologically, adenosquamous carcinoma was diagnosed, and it was graded as si, hinf0, binf0, pv0, a0, t4, n0, and stage IVa.

Aged↗

Gallbladder cancer: surgical results after cholecystectomy in 25 patients with lamina propria invasion and 26 patients with muscular layer invasion.

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE: It has been stated that simple cholecystectomy is sufficient treatment for all patients with pT1 gallbladder cancer. However, other authors note the necessity of carrying out extended surgery when there is muscular-layer involvement. METHODS: A consecutive series of gallbladder carcinomas with lamina propria or muscular layer invasion were analyzed. Between July 1982 and December 2000, 51 patients with pT1 gallbladder carcinomas were treated with simple cholecystectomy (group A, 25 patients with lamina propria-invasion; group B, 26 patients with muscular-layer invasion). Patients with intraepithelial carcinomas were excluded from the study. RESULTS: There were no differences between the groups in average age, sex ratios, association with other tumors, histologic type, malignancy grade, cholecystitis type, macroscopic aspects, lymph node status, or treatment applied. After an average of 6 years' follow-up, no patients in group A and nine patients (34.6%) in group B died due to gallbladder carcinoma. Cystic lymph nodes could be studied in five of these nine patients who relapsed, and the results were negative for metastasis. Lymphatic or venous invasion was observed in five of these nine patients. CONCLUSIONS: According to these results, cholecystectomy is not sufficient treatment for gallbladder carcinoma with muscular-layer invasion.

Aged↗