Gallbladder epithelial foregut cyst in a child: case report

Ciliated foregut cysts (CFCs) of the gallbladder are benign and extremely rare congenital anomalies, particularly in the pediatric population. They present with nonspecific symptoms that hinder preoperative suspicion, so histopathological examination is crucial for proper diagnosis. A 6-year-old girl presented to the emergency department with recurrent episodes of abdominal pain and vomiting. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a cystic lesion adjacent to the gallbladder, and magnetic resonance cholangiography showed a cystic diverticular dilation arising along the cystic duct, positioned at the upper aspect of the gallbladder infundibulum without luminal communication. Based on these findings, the patient underwent laparoscopic excision of the cystic lesion combined with cholecystectomy. The procedure was completed without complications. Histopathological evaluation demonstrated a ciliated foregut cyst of the gallbladder, confirming the congenital nature of the anomaly. Postoperative recovery was uneventful, and at five months of follow-up she remains asymptomatic with normal laboratory results and no radiological abnormalities. Epithelial foregut cysts can occasionally develop near the gallbladder, be misdiagnosed as cystic biliary lesions, and can be a source of recurring abdominal pain in children.