Gall-bladder Agenesis Presenting with Obstructive Jaundice and Elevated CA 19–9

Abstract

We report the case of an 81-year-old man with agenesis of the gall-bladder that presented with choledocholithiasis, obstructive jaundice, and very high CA 19–9 serum level (2765 U/ml). On ultrasound and CT scan, the gallbladder was not visualised and it was assumed shrunken and filled with gall-stones. After repeated unsuccessful endo-scopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography, the patient was operated on for common bile duct (CBD) stones. At laparo-tomy the gall-bladder was not identified but a 3 cm long gall-stone was removed from the CBD. After decompression of the CBD all symptoms disappeared and the CA 19–9 returned to normal. We believe that this is the first report in the literature of gall-bladder agenesis presenting with high serum level of CA 19–9.

Key words:

• Gall-bladder
• abnormalities
• CA 19–9
• antigen
• choledocholithiasis
• gall-bladder
• agenesis
• jaundice
• cholestatic

Additional information

Notes on contributors

V. Trompetas

V. Trompetas, M.D. M. Voda 7 Athens 10439, Greece Tel.: [phone] Fax: [phone] E-mail: [email protected]