A Case Report of Acute Torsion of the Gallbladder Diagnosed Preoperatively

Torsion of the gallbladder is a rare condition that most commonly affects the elderly. This condition is rarely diagnosed preoperatively despite advances in diagnostic imaging. We report a case of torsion of the gall bladder diagnosed preoperatively. An 81-year-old woman presented with right upper quadrant pain. Initial laboratory tests revealed elevation of the white blood cell count to 15,900/μL(normal, 4,000 to 8,000/μL) and mild liver dysfunction. Ultrasonography and computed tomography revealed swelling of the gall bladder with increased wall thickness, but neither examination showed any gallstones. Percutaneous transhepatic gall bladder drainage was performed, and bloody bile juice was obtained. Cholangiography via the drainage catheter of the gall bladder and endoscopic retrograde cholangiography revealed smooth tapering of the neck of the gall bladder. We diagnosed acute torsion of gallbladder and brought the patient to the operating theatre for laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Intraoperatively, we observed that the gallbladder had undergone complete torsion and appeared gangrenous. Routine cholecystectomy was then performed, and the patient recovered without incident.