Carcinoid tumor of the gallbladder: Laparoscopic resection and review of the literature

A 75-year-old woman with mild elevation of liver function test results was found to have an asymptomatic mass localized to the gallbladder by computed tomographic scan and ultrasonography. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography revealed a fixed 2 x 4 cm filling defect in the gallbladder wall, consistent with a gallbladder neoplasm. The gallbladder and intramural neoplasm were excised successfully by use of uncomplicated laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Pathologic analysis revealed a carcinoid tumor of the gallbladder. All previously reported gallbladder carcinoid tumors in the Western literature are reviewed. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy has potential for application for the treatment of selected gallbladder neoplasms, with special preoperative assessment and intraoperative considerations being important.