Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis misdiagnosed as gallbladder carcinoma: a report of 10 cases / 中国普通外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective The aim of this study was to analyze the causes of misdiagnosing xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) as carcinoma of gallbladder.Methods Clinical data of 33 XGC patients admitted from 1996 to 2005 were retrospectively analyzed, among them 10 patients were misdiagnosed as carcinoma of the gallbladder preoperatively and intraoperatively. Results All these 10 patients underwent preoperative ultrasound and computed tomography (CT). Both ultrasound and CT were suggestive of carcinoma of the gallbladder in 5 cases, and chronic cholecystitis in one case. The ultrasound was suggestive of carcinoma while CT diagnosed as chronic cholecystitis in 2 cases. CT suggested a carcinoma while ultrasound was suggestive of cholecystitis in other 2 cases. Thickened gallbladder wall and dense carcinoma-like adhesions was unanimous phenomena. Cholecystectomy and partial hepatic wedge resection was performed in 3 cases; Six cases underwent cholecystectomy and partial hepatic wedge resection plus regional lymphadenectomy. One case received partial cholecystectomy, cholecystoenterostomy, and partial transverse colectomy. XGC was definitely diagnosed by postoperative pathological examination in all of patients. Conclusions XGC mimics the imaging features (CT, ultrasonography) and gross findings of gallbladder carcinoma making a misdiagnosis. Definite diagnosis of XGC is dependent on postoperative pathology.