Gallbladder Varices in a Patient with Portal Vein Thrombosis Secondary to Hepatocellular Carcinoma

2014-11-12 02:46:07

Category: Abdominal Imaging, Region: Abdomen-Gallbladder, Plane: Other

Gallbladder varices are a rare form of collateralization that develops in patients with portal hypertension. We present here a case of gallbladder varices accurately diagnosed by contrast enhanced CT imaging of the abdomen and confirmed by color Doppler sonography. A 76-year-old patient with hepatocellular carcinoma developed portal vein thrombosis secondary to tumor extension (1st image) during the course of treatment and was incidentally discovered to have gallbladder varices (2nd, 3rd, and 4th image). While most commonly asymptomatic, gallbladder varices are associated with increased risk of massive bleeding, either spontaneously or during cholecystectomy. As a result, the existence of such varices should be well documented if the patient is to undergo any surgical procedures. In addition, because of a particular association with portal thrombosis, patients with portal hypertension that are found to possess gallbladder varices should be evaluated for portal vein thrombosis.