UCLA Radiological Sciences Proceedings

Postcholecystectomy syndrome is a group of common upper abdominal symptoms manifesting in patients who have undergone cholecystectomy. These symptoms may mimic some or all of the symptoms the patient had prior to cholecystectomy. The symptoms may be due to biliary or nonbiliary conditions. Patients may present with the syndrome during  the early postoperative period or in the months to years after the surgery. We report a case of postcholecystectomy syndrome that appeared fifteen months after laparoscopic cholecystectomy in a patient with residual choledocholithiasis and a prominent remnant of the cystic duct with low, medial insertion. We also discuss the causes of postcholecystectomy syndrome and some algorithmic approaches to imaging workup on patients with the syndrome.