A case of primary squamous cell carcinoma of the gallbladder with local invasion of the liver and peritoneum, and metastasis to the omentum

Squamous cell carcinoma of the gallbladder masquerading liver abscess with review of literature

Introduction and importance

Squamous cell carcinoma of the gall bladder is a rare but aggressive tumor. It has a wide variety of presentations. Presentation as a liver abscess is a rare condition only 2 cases reported in the literature before.

Case report

A 45-year-old male patient presented to the emergency with complaints of fever, right upper quadrant pain, and jaundice. On evaluation, an initial diagnosis of the liver abscess was made. Due to the deteriorating condition of the patient, he was taken up for surgery. Upon exploration, there were multiple deposits over the bilateral lobes of the liver, so a controlled drainage of abscess cavity was done with biopsy from the wall of the gall bladder and liver metastasis was taken which showed squamous cell carcinoma of gall bladder with liver metastasis. The patient was given gemcitabine and oxaliplatin as palliative chemotherapy. He died after 11 months of presentation.

Discussion and conclusion

The aggressive and advanced nature of the disease at the presentation poses a formidable challenge in managing such patients but early diagnosis and surgical management can provide long term benefits.

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Squamous cell carcinoma of the gall bladder is a rare but aggressive tumor.

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Patients are usually asymptomatic or have vague presenting symptoms.

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A definitive diagnosis is by histopathological examination.

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This is the third case of pure SCC of gall bladder presenting as liver abscess reported in the literature.