Gallbladder torsion frequently misdiagnosed as routine inflammation

A pooled review of medical literature indicates that gallbladder torsion—a condition where the organ rotates on its stalk and cuts off its own blood supply—is frequently misdiagnosed as routine gallbladder inflammation. Research published in HepatoBiliary Surgery and Nutrition, involving 178 publications and 477 patients, found that surgeons correctly identified the condition before operation in only 17% of cases.

The condition typically affects thin women around the age of 70, a demographic pattern attributed to age-related loss of visceral fat and connective tissue that allows the organ to hang more freely. Recent case reports have documented the severity of the issue, including a case in the Philippines where imaging suggested routine inflammation but surgeons discovered a complete 360-degree twist resulting in a necrotic gallbladder.