This document describes the normal anatomy of the gallbladder and biliary tract, as well as common anatomical variations and anomalies. It discusses the normal divisions and structures of the gallbladder and cystic duct. It then covers several anomalies including agenesis of the gallbladder, gallbladder duplication, wandering gallbladder, gallbladder torsion, and variations in gallbladder shape. The document also discusses ectopic locations of the gallbladder and variations in cystic duct insertion and bile duct anatomy.

1. Anomalies and anatomic variants
of Gall bladder and Biliary tract
Dr. M Sanal kumar

2. Normal Anatomy
Gallbladder
The gallbladder is an elliptical organ located in a fossa on the
undersurface of the liver between the right and the left lobes.
Although size and shape vary, the relaxed gallbladder is approximately
10 cm long and 3 to 5 cm in diameter.
Normal capacity is approximately 50 mL.
The normal gallbladder wall is 2 to 3 mm thick, and the mucosa is
composed of simple columnar epithelium.
The gallbladder is usually apposed to the liver surface by parietal
peritoneum.

4. The gallbladder is divided into 4 parts—
fundus, body, infundibulum, and neck.
The fundus is the rounded distal tip,
which may project below the anterior
inferior liver edge.
The body is the midportion of the
gallbladder, which may be in contact with
the duodenum and hepatic flexure.
The infundibulum (Hartmann pouch) is
the focally enlarged segment between
the body and the neck.
The neck of the gallbladder lies between
the body and the cystic duct and points
toward the porta hepatis.

7. Agenesis Of The Gallbladder
Agenesis of the gallbladder is caused by failure of development of the
caudal division of the primitive hepatic diverticulum or failure of
vacuolization after the solid phase of embryonic development.
Other congenital anomalies are present in two thirds of these patients,
including congenital heart lesions, polysplenia, imperforate anus,
absence of one or more bones, and rectovaginal fistula.
The surgical incidence of gall bladder agenesis is approx. 0.02%.
Agenesis of the gallbladder (AGB) is a very rare congenital anomaly. Till
July 2010, a total of 413 cases have been reported in the literature
Nearly 2/3 of adult patients with AGB have biliary tract symptoms &
extrahepatic biliary calculi are reported in 25% -50% of pts.

8. There are two main expressions: 1) AGB without cystic duct remnant
and 2) AGB with cystic remnant .
Ultrasound or CT may suggest the diagnosis, but it is usually diagnosed
at surgery when the gallbladderis not found at cholangiography.
Intraoperative ultrasound may be helpful in establishing the diagnosis
and excluding a completely intrahepatic gallbladder.

9. Duplication Of The Gallbladder (Vesica fellea duplex)
Gallbladder duplication occurs in about 1 in 4000 people.
This anomaly is caused by incomplete revacuolization of the primitive
gallbladder, resulting in a persistent longitudinal septum that divides the
gallbladder lengthwise / occurrence of separate cystic buds.
To establish the diagnosis, two separate gallbladder cavities, each with
its own cystic duct, must be present.
These duplicated cystic ducts may enter the common duct separately or
form a Y-configuration before a common entrance.
Most reported cases of gallbladder duplication have a clinical picture of
cholecystitis with cholelithiasis in at least one of the gallbladders.

11. Wandering Gallbladder
When the gallbladder has an unusually long mesentery, it can “wander”
or “float.”
The gallbladder may “disappear” into the pelvis on upright radiographs
or wander in front of the spine or to the left of the abdomen.
Rarely, the gallbladder can herniate through the foramen of Winslow
into the lesser sac.
The herniation can be intermittent and may be responsible for
abdominal pain.
The mesentery is sufficiently long to permit torsion in 4.5% of the
population.

12. Three unusual anatomic situations give rise to torsion of the gallbladder,
and they all produce twisting of an unusually mobile gallbladder on
a pedicle:
(1) a gallbladder that is completely free of mesenteric or peritoneal
investments except for its cystic duct and artery,
(2) a long gallbladder mesentery sufficient to allow twisting, and
(3) the presence of large stones in the gallbladder fundus that cause
lengthening and torsion of the gallbladder mesentery.
Kyphosis, vigorous gallbladder peristalsis have also been implicated as
other predisposing or contributing factors.

13. Most cases of gallbladder torsion occur in women (F/M ratio of 3:1).
The usual preoperative diagnosis is acute cholecystitis.
Gangrene develops in more than 50% of cases and is extremely common
when the pain has been present for more than 48 hours.
On cross-sectional imaging, the gallbladder is distended and may have
an unusual location and show mural thickening.

14. Anomalies Of Gallbladder Shape
Phrygian Cap
Diverticula
Multiseptate Gallbladder

15. Phrygian Cap
Phrygian cap is the most common abnormality of gallbladder shape,
occurring in 1% to 6% of the population.
Named after the headgear worn by ancient Greek slaves as a sign of
liberation.
This deformity is characterized by a fold or septum of the gallbladder
between the body and fundus.
Two variations of this anomaly have been described.
Retroserosal /concealed type,the GB is smoothly invested by peritoneum,
and the mucosal fold that projects into lumen may not be visible externally.
Serosal or visible type, the peritoneum follows the bend in the fundus,
then reflects on itself as the fundus overlies the body.

18. Multiseptate Gallbladder
The multiseptate gallbladder is a solitary gallbladder characterized
by multiple septa of various sizes internally and a faintly bosselated
surface externally.
The gallbladder is usually normal in size and position, and the chambers
communicate with one another by one or more orifices from fundus to
cystic duct.
These septations lead to stasis of bile and gallstone formation.
On ultrasound studies, multiple communicating septations and locules
are seen bridging the gallbladder lumen.
The sonographic differential diagnoses are desquamated gallbladder
mucosa and hyperplastic cholecystoses.

20. Diverticula
Gallbladder diverticula are rare and usually clinically silent.
They can occur anywhere in the gallbladder and are usually single and
vary greatly in size.
Congenital diverticula are true diverticula and contain all the mural
layers, as opposed to the pseudodiverticula of adenomyomatosis,
which have little or no smooth muscle in their walls.
Acquired traction diverticula from adjacent adhesions or duodenal
disease must be also be excluded.

22. The bilobed gallbladder, isextremely rare congenital anomaly in man.
This malformation is represented by a structure having two separate
fundic cavities, united at their bases and joined to the ductus
choledochus by a single cystic duct.
It is differentiated fromdouble/accessory GB by presence of independent
cystic ducts, draining individual fundic cavities of the latter type.
Bilobed gall bladder ( Vesica fellea divisa)

23. Ectopic Gallbladder
The gallbladder can be located in a variety of anomalous positions.
Intrahepatic, suprahepatic, retrohepatic, supradiaphragmatic, and
retroperitoneal.
A. Intrahepatic.
B. Left sided.
C. Transverse.
D. Retrodisplaced.

24. In patients with an intrahepatic gallbladder, the GB is completely
surrounded by hepatic parenchyma.
Intrahepatic GB usually presents little difficulty imaging, but may
complicate clinical diagnosis of acute cholecystitis because of paucity of
peritoneal signs resulting from long distance between GB & peritoneum.
This anomaly also makes cholecystectomy more difficult.
On sulfur colloid scans,the intrahepatic GB presents as a cold hepatic
defect.
In patients with cirrhosis, small or absent right lobes, or chronic
obstructive pulmo - nary disease, the gallbladder together with the
colon is often interposed between the liver and the diaphragm.
Left-sidedgallbladders may occur in situs inversus or as an isolated
finding.

26. Retro hepatic GB Suprahepatic GB

27. Cystic Duct
The gallbladder is attached to the common bile duct (CBD) via the cystic
duct, which is usually 2 to 4 cm long and contains tortuous folds, the
spiral valves of Heister . Diameter 2-3 mm.
The cystic duct usually joins the common hepatic duct (CHD) from the
right lateral aspect approximately halfway between the porta hepatis
and the ampulla of Vater to form the CBD.
The point at which the cystic duct joins the CHD is variable, from high in
the upper extrahepatic bile duct or one of the intrahepatic ducts (more
often the right) to low at the ampulla.
The cystic duct usually runs parallel to the CHD at least for a short
distance and may insert either anteriorly or posteriorly or spiral around
to insert on the medial aspect.

32. Bile Ducts
Intrahepatic Ducts
The liver is divided into right and left lobes on the basis of portal vein
anatomy and biliary drainage.
The right lobe is divided into anterior and posterior segments, and the
left lobe is divided into medial and lateral segments by the fissure of the
ligamentum teres.
Small branching interlobar bile ducts merge into larger ducts until the
major left and right hepatic ducts are formed.
A left medial segment duct and a left lateral segment duct normally join
to form the main left hepatic duct.

33. The left lateral section is divided into superior (segment II) and
inferior(segment III) segments. Union of ducts of segment II and III
behind the umbilical part of left portal vein form the left hepatic duct
(LHD) which then receives the duct from segment IV. Average length of
the LHD is 1.7 cm and diameter is 3.0 mm (1.08).
The right hepatic duct branches near its take off from the CHD. In
approximately 60% of patients, the right hepatic duct has a dorsocaudal
branch, with a characteristic hook-like configuration proximally,
draining the posterior segment of the right lobe, and a ventrocranial
branch, draining the anterior segment of the right lobe.
The right anterior sectoral duct (RASD) drains segments V and VIII and
the right posterior sectoral duct (RPSD) drains segments VI and VII. The
RPSD passes horizontally and generally curves round the RASD to join its
medial side to form the right hepatic duct (RHD). Average length of RHD
is 0.9 cm and diameter is 2.6 mm.

37. The bile ducts generally follow the internal hepatic segmental anatomy;
however, marked variation in the branching pattern is common.
Anomalies of the biliary system are found in 2.4% of autopsies, 28% of
surgical dissections, and 5% to 13% of operative cholangiograms.

43. Extrahepatic Ducts
The right and left hepatic ducts emerge from the liver and unite to form
the 3- to 4-cm-long CHD, which then joins ystic duct to form the CBD.
The union of the right and left main hepatic ducts is usually just outside
the liver but may be lower, resulting in a shorter CHD or CBD.
The CBD averages 6 to 7 cm in length and is usually divided into
suprapancreatic, intra-pancreatic, and ampullary segments.
In approximately 70% of patients, the CBD courses through the
pancreatic head; in a smaller percentage, the CBD is located in a groove
on the posterior surface of the pancreas.
The CBD enters the posteriormedial aspect of the second portion of the
duodenum through an oblique, 1- to 2-cm-long intramural tunnel
terminating at the papilla of Vater.

44. The exact union of the CBD and the pancreatic duct at the ampulla varies.
Most commonly, the two ducts join in the duodenal wall and have a short common
channel.
Occasionally, separate orifices are present at the ampulla, or the ducts unite, forming
a long common channel before enter ing the duodenal wall .
The sphincter of Oddi surrounds the common channel and the choledochal sphincter
(sphincter of Boyden) surrounds the CBD from its entrance into the duodenal wall to
its junction with the pancreatic duct.

45. Choledochal Cysts
Choledochal cysts are congenital cystic dilatations of any portion of extra hepatic
bile ducts, most commonly the main portion of CBD.
It is postulated that this condition begins with an anomalous junction of the
common bile duct and pancreatic duct proximal to the duodenal papilla.
Higher pressure in pancreatic duct combined + an absent ductal sphincter allows
free reflux of enzymes into biliary tree, weakening wall of the common bile duct.
Normal Abnormal

46. Diagnosis of a choledochal cyst is made on the basis of disproportional
dilatation of the extrahepatic bile ducts after excluding the possibility of
a tumor, stone, or inflammation as the cause of the dilatation.
The estimated incidence of choledochal cysts in Western countries varies
between 1 in 100,000 and 1 in 150,000 individuals.
The rate of incidence is higher in Asia and occurs more frequently in
women (M: F- 4:1).60% of patients present before age 10, although
choledochal cysts can present from birth to old age.
This anomaly is associated with increased incidence of GB anomalies,
biliary anomalies ( stenosis /atresia), and congenital hepatic fibrosis.
Complications of choledochal cysts in adults include rupture with bile
peritonitis, secondary infection (cholangitis), biliary cirrhosis and portal
hypertension, calculus formation, portal vein thrombosis, liver abscess,
hemorrhage, and malignant transformation into cholangiocarcinoma.

47. Todani classification

50. Newborns and infants present with obstructive jaundice.
Older children and adults may have the classic triad of right upper
quadrant pain, intermittent jaundice, and a palpable right upper
quadrant mass.
In adult patients, a choledochal cyst is often first diagnosed on cross-
sectional imaging.
CT and ultrasound demonstrate a fluid-filled structure beneath the
porta hepatis separate from the gallbladder that communicates with the
hepatic ducts.
An abrupt change in the caliber of the ducts occurs at the site of the
cysts.
Intrahepatic ductal dilatation may be present as well.

54. Caroli’s Disease
Caroli’s disease, also known as communicating cavernous ectasia, is
characterized by multifocal segmental saccular dilatation of the intrahepatic
bile ducts, a predisposition to biliary calculi and cholangitis, and an association
with various forms of cystic renal disease.
It is an autosomal recessive disease secondary to the ductal plate
malformation. It is associated with polycystic kidney disease, medullary
sponge kidney and medullary cystic disease.
Caroli’s disease usually manifests in adulthood; however, it can be seen in
newborns and infants.
Adult patients present with recurrent attacks of cholangitis and crampy right
upper quadrant pain with occasional fever and mild jaundice.
Infants and children may present with hematemesis caused by portal
hypertension from hepatic fibrosis.

55. Complications of Caroli’s disease include stone formation (95%) within
the dilated intra-hepatic ducts, recurrent cholangitis, and liver abscess.
There is also a 100-fold increase in incidence of bile duct carcinoma,
occurring in 7% of patients.
Caroli’s disease is best demonstrated by cholangiography which shows
saccular dilatations of the intrahepatic ducts, stones, strictures, and
communicating hepatic abscesses.

56. Ultrasound
May show dilated intrahepatic bile ducts (IHBD).
intraductal bridging: echogenic septa traversing the dilatedbile duct lumen.
smallportal venous branches partially/completely surroundedbydilatedbile
ducts.
intraductal calculi.
CT
multiple hypodense rounded areas which are inseperable from the
dilated intrahepatic bile ducts
“centraldot” sign: enhancing dots within the dilated intrahepatic bile duct
s, these intraluminal dots correspond to intraluminal portal veins

57. MRCP with three-dimensional display is an accurate method for
demonstrating Caroli’s disease because the luminal contents of the bile
ducts appear hyperintense in contrast to the portal vein, which usually
appears as signal void.
Cystic expansions of the intrahepatic biliary tract are depicted as oval-
shaped structures in continuity with the biliary tract.

59. Biliary atresia
Biliary atresia is a congenital biliary disorder, which is characterised by
an absence or severe deficiency of the extra-hepatic biliary tree .
It is one of the most common causes of neonatal cholestasis, often
causing cirrhosis immediately and leading to death and accounts for
over half of children who undergo liver transplantation.
Incidence- 1 in 10,000-15,000 newborn infants. There is a recognised
male predilection.
Luminal obstruction of the extrahepatic bile duct with a fibrous ductal
remnant is the pathology.

60. Infants with biliary atresia may appear normal & healthy at birth. Most
often, symptoms develop between 2wks-2mnths, and may include :
Jaundice
Dark yellow or brown urine
Pale or clay-colored (acholic) stools
Hepatomegaly
Affected neonates have associated congenital defects, including situs
inversus, polysplenia, malrotation, intestinal atresia, and cardiac
anomalies.

61. Type I, the common bile duct is obliterated while the proximal bile
ducts are patent.
Type II, atresia of the hepatic duct is seen, with cystic bile ducts found at
the porta hepatis.
Type IIa, the cystic and common bile ducts are patent, whereas in type
IIb, the cystic, common bile duct, and hepatic ducts are obliterated.
Type III atresia refers to discontinuity of the right and the left hepatic
ducts to the level of the porta hepatis. This form of biliary atresia is
common, accounting for more than 90% of cases.
Kasai classification

63. Ultrasound
Echogenic triangular cord sign
Tubular echogenic cord of fibrous tissue seen in the porta hepatis at
ultrasonography and is relatively specific in diagnosis of biliary atresia.
It is defined as more than 4 mm thickness of echogenic anterior wall of
right portal vein (EARPV) measured on a longitudinal ultrasound scan.
Gallbladder ghost triad
Atretic gallbladder, length less than 19 mm
Irregular or lobular contour
Lack of smooth/complete echogenic mucosal lining with indistinct wall
Larger hepatic arterial calibre

64. Positive of triangular cord sign = thickness of EARPV > 4 mm on a
longitudinal scan
5.1mm 5.4mm

65. Length= 1.6mm
Irregular or lobular contour
Lack of smooth/complete echogenic mucosal lining with indistinct wall
Gall bladder ghost triad

66. Nuclear medicine (hepatobiliary (HIDA) scan)
Cases of biliary atresia typically demonstrate relatively good hepatic
uptake with no evidence of excretion into the bowel at 24 hours.
Pretreatment with phenobarbital (5 mg/kg/day for 5 days) to increase
biliary secretion by stimulating hepatic enzymes is frequently helpful to
minimize the possibility of a false-positive study in a patient with a
patent biliary system but poor excretion.
Good hepatic uptake, but no excretion into bowel even after 24hrs.

67. Magnetic Resonance Cholangiography
MRCP is a relatively new technique for neonatal imaging.
Findings in infants with biliary atresia include incomplete visualization of
the extrahepatic biliary system and periportal high signal intensity on
T2-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans (which may
represent cystic dilatation of fetal bile ducts with surrounding
fibrosis).

68. Thank you..