Gallbladder varices - a case report

Abstract

Gallbladder varices are relatively rare ectopic varices in patients with portal hypertension. We present here a case of gallbladder varices accurately diagnosed by color Doppler sonography. A 51-year-old woman was admitted to our unit with recurrent esophageal varices bleeding due to extrahepatic portal vein occlusion after splenectomy. Bleeding was controlled by endoscopic band ligation and esophageal varices were eradicated after the second endoscopic session. Doppler imaging showed the existence of portal cavernoma and gallbladder varices. The close follow-up period after complete eradication of esophageal varices showed no enlargement of varices of the gallbladder or complications related to them.

Color Doppler sonography is a valuable noninvasive imaging technique for assessment of portal hemodynamic profile in patients with portal cavernoma as well as useful in detecting gallbladder varices. Preoperative correct diagnosis of gallbladder varices should increase the surgeon’s vigilance during biliary tract surgery in patients with portal hypertension in order to avoid hazardous complications.