Gallbladder polyps with concomitant hemobilia is a very rare pathological event. In this case, a gallbladder polyp causing pancreatitis due to massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding was presented. A 58 years old woman was admitted to the hospital with an upper right abdominal quadrant pain radiating to the back and right shoulder. Right upper quadrant tenderness and generalized jaundice has been detected on physical examination. Laboratory evaluation revealed an increased serum amylase, direct and indirect bilirubin levels and leukocytosis. She was diagnosed as pancreatitis.

A massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding was seen on the second day of admission. After stabilization of general condition of patient by supportive therapy for pancreatitis, she went to operation. It was found that the bleeding was secondary to a gallbladder polyp and cholecystectomy was performed. She had an uneventful postoperative period and discharged from the hospital on the postoperative 14th day.

As a conclusion, a gallbladder polyp can rarely be a cause of massive upper gastrointestinal bleeding and subsequent pancreatitis.©2008, Firat University, Medical Faculty