Symptomatic gallbladder agenesis in an elderly woman: Diagnosis and management dilemma

Abstract

Gallbladder agenesis is an uncommon clinical entity where there is an isolated congenital absence of the gallbladder and the cystic duct. It is usually asymptomatic and many are not detected. There is, however, increasing diagnosis on account of available new imaging techniques. The symptomatic group typically presents with right upper quadrant pain of biliary colic, nausea and vomiting and obstructive jaundice. I report a case of an elderly woman presenting for the first time with agenesis of the gallbladder and painful obstructive jaundice.