A galling disease? Dieulafoy’s lesion of the gallbladder

Abstract

HighlightsDieulafoy’s lesion is characterized by an abnormally large and tortuous submucosal arteriole leading to an area of mucosal defect with minimal inflammation.It is most often seen in the stomach but could also occur along the gastrointestinal tract.Only four cases of gallbladder Dieulafoy’s lesion have been published so far.The clinical, radiologic and histologic findings are discussed in light of the existing literature on this unusual entity.

Dieulafoy lesion of the gallbladder: A rare cause of hemobilia and acute pancreatitis – Case report

“…Most cases of hemobilia cease spontaneously due to its intermittent nature and require volume replacement or blood transfusion only. However, when the source of the hemorrhage is a Dieulafoy lesion, sometimes an emergent cholecystectomy may be necessary, as it was in four out of the six published cases [5].…”

“…It can be found anywhere throughout the gastrointestinal tract, but it is very rarely found in the gallbladder, with only six reported cases. This entity presents as acute hemorrhage, sometimes recurrent [5].…”

Rectal Dieulafoy’s Lesion: A Rare Etiology of Lower Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage

“…Dieulafoy's lesions of the rectum, however, are a rare entity, observed in a mere 2% of reported cases in the literature [4, 5]. Dieulafoy's lesions of the gallbladder have also been reported, but are outside the scope of this discussion [6].…”

A Rare Cause of Hemoperitoneum

“…1 The commonest location for DL is the stomach and accounts for more than two-thirds of affected patients. 2 Extragastric DL of the gastrointestinal tract are less common and have been described in the literature; however, DL of the gallbladder is extremely rare and to the best of our knowledge, only 7 cases of histologically proven gallbladder DL have been reported to date. 2,3 Although some causal links have been described, the exact a etiology of DL remains unknown.…”

“…2 Extragastric DL of the gastrointestinal tract are less common and have been described in the literature; however, DL of the gallbladder is extremely rare and to the best of our knowledge, only 7 cases of histologically proven gallbladder DL have been reported to date. 2,3 Although some causal links have been described, the exact a etiology of DL remains unknown. 1 Unlike other DLs in the gastrointestinal tract, owing to the anatomy of the gallbladder and its vascular supply, the treatment of choice is surgical (cholecystectomy).…”