Gallbladder & extrahepatic bile ducts
Gallbladder nonneoplastic
Angiodysplasia
Author: Jian-Hua Qiao, M.D.
Last author update: 1 April 2017
Last staff update: 14 June 2022
Copyright: 2002-2024, PathologyOutlines.com, Inc.
PubMed Search: gallbladder angiodysplasia
Table of Contents
Definition / general | Essential features | Terminology | Epidemiology | Pathophysiology | Clinical features | Diagnosis | Case reports | Treatment | Gross description | Microscopic (histologic) description | Microscopic (histologic) images | Board review style question #1 | Board review style answer #1Cite this page: Qiao JH. Angiodysplasia. PathologyOutlines.com website. https://www.pathologyoutlines.com/topic/gallbladderangiodysplasia.html. Accessed April 25th, 2024.
Definition / general
- Angiodysplasia is a term describing distinct gastrointestinal mucosal vascular ectasias which are not associated with:
- Cutaneous lesions
- Systemic vascular disease or
- Familial syndrome
Essential features
- Angiodysplasia of the gallbladder is extremely rare
- Pathogenesis of angiodysplasia of the gallbladder is unknown
- It is usually an incidental finding on histopathological examination of the excised gallbladder
- It is usually asymptomatic but has the potential to bleed
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is a definitive cure
Terminology
- Vascular ectasia
Epidemiology
- Angiodysplasia of the gallbladder occurs in a wide age range (30s - 70s), in both men and women
Pathophysiology
- Proposed etiology similar to colonic vascular ectasia
- Likely due to gallbladder distention and contraction, causing intermittent obstruction of blood vessels
- Obstruction subsequently leads to dilatation and tortuosity of the vessels
Clinical features
- Usually asymptomatic
Diagnosis
- Incidental finding during histologic examination of excised gallbladder
Case reports
- 36 year old woman with a history of dyspepsia and right upper quadrant abdominal pain (Int J Surg Case Rep 2011;2:256)
Treatment
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is curative
Gross description
- Distended gallbladder with gallstones
Microscopic (histologic) description
- Gallbladder mucosal ulceration
- Dilated mucosal capillary sized vessels
- Disorganized dilated veins
- Thick arteries in muscularis propria
Microscopic (histologic) images
Contributed by Jian-Hua Qiao, M.D.
Surface denudation / ulceration
Multiple dilated vessels in lamina propria
Widened mucosal folds
Disorganized veins and arteries
Board review style question #1
Correct statements of angiodysplasia of gallbladder include:
Which of the above statements are true?
- Angiodysplasia of the gallbladder is extremely rare.
- Angiodysplasia of the gallbladder is usually asymptomatic.
- The pathogenesis of angiodysplasia of the gallbladder is unknown.
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is usually curative.
Which of the above statements are true?
- 1, 2, 3
- 1, 3
- 2, 4
- All of the above
Board review style answer #1
