A Case Report of Isolated Blunt Traumatic Gallbladder Perforation and Review of the Literature.

INTRODUCTION

Gallbladder trauma is an uncommon occurrence, most commonly found incidentally at the time of laparotomy for associated injuries following abdominal trauma. It is even more rare in blunt abdominal trauma, with one of the rarest forms being an isolated injury to the gallbladder. Awareness for this type of injury should not be forgotten by emergency personal when evaluating someone with a history of recent trauma.

CASE DESCRIPTION: A 44-year-old male who works as a construction worker fell from a roof, landing on his right side. Upon evaluation by the emergency department, emergency personnel combined the history, abnormal laboratory values and imaging including ultrasound (U/S) and computed tomography (CT) to assess and diagnose a concern for gallbladder perforation. He was treated with a diagnostic laparoscopy, laparoscopic cholecystectomy, and intraoperative choleangiogram. The patient tolerated the procedure well and discharged home on postoperative day 1.

DISCUSSION: Gallbladder trauma can be seen in all population types. As the gallbladder is fairly protected, it is rare to have an isolated injury. A detailed history as described can tip off practitioners to the diagnosis, but is also missed or delayed due to occasionally vague symptoms. Imaging studies can be used adjunctively to assist in diagnosis and may include CT, U/S, color Doppler, or HIDA scans. These can also fail to give a diagnosis leading to a missed injury and further morbidity and mortality. Perforated gallbladders can safely be treated laparoscopically as well as other options depicted.

CONCLUSION

Awareness of isolated and rare injuries in trauma, such as those to the gallbladder, enables many types of emergency personnel to recognize and treat patients and consequently prevent the morbidity and mortality of a missed injury.