False Negative Hepatobiliary Iminodiacetic Acid (HIDA) Scan in a Case of Gall Bladder Perforation

Gall bladder perforation (GBP) is a rare and life-threatening complication of acute cholecystitis that requires immediate intervention. The diagnosis itself poses a diagnostic challenge, if the patient presents after the perforation of the gall bladder, especially if the initial imaging techniques such as ultrasonogram (US), computed tomography (CT) scan, hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) are inconclusive. Subtle clues such as free fluid around gall bladder and contracted gall bladder should warrant the clinician as these might be the only clues suggestive of gall bladder perforation. Here we describe a case of GBP successfully diagnosed by peritoneal drainage and analysis and subsequently managed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and open cholecystectomy.