A case of gallbladder hemangioma detected in a patient with jaundice and suspected Klatskin tumor: case report and review of the literature

The diagnosis and treatment of benign tumors of the gallbladder and bile ducts are difficult due to their anatomical relationships with neighboring vital organs. Hemangiomas are non-epithelial benign tumors of the gallbladder. The gallbladder is an extremely rare localization for cavernous hemangiomas. To date, 7 cases of cavernous gallbladder hemangioma have been reported in the literature. Although it is seen very rarely, the main problem is that it mimics malignant lesions. Pre-operative diagnosis of gallbladder hemangiomas is difficult. Ultrasound (US), computed tomography (CT) magnetic resonance imaging(MRI), endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and angiography are helpful in differential diagnosis.

Here, we aimed to present our case, which is the first case of cavernous gallbladder hemangioma and obstructive jaundice in the literature.

A 49-year-old female patient was admitted with the complaint of pain in the right upper quadrant of her abdomen. Bilirubin levels were high due to obstructive jaundice. Abdominal CT and MRI showed an appearance in favor of hemangioma in the gallbladder. There was an increase in bile duct wall thickness on MRCP, and it was evaluated as suspicious for malignant neoplasia. The patient was operated on, and extrahepatic bile duct resection + Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy procedure was performed. As a result of histopathology, hemangioma was detected in the gallbladder. There was no malignancy in the bile ducts.

It should be kept in mind that the mass detected in the gallbladder in a patient with jaundice who is suspected of having a bile duct tumor may also be a hemangioma.