Rates of hypercalcemia and hyperparathyroidism among patients with porcelain gallbladder

Abstract

BackgroundPorcelain gallbladder is characterized by calcification of the gallbladder wall, possibly associated chronic inflammation from cholelithiasis. It is unknown whether porcelain gallbladder is associated with higher rates of hypercalcemia and/or hyperparathyroidism compared to cholelithiasis without porcelain gallbladder. MethodsWe searched our patient database for patients with porcelain gallbladder on imaging and patients with cholelithiasis without porcelain gallbladder. We collected data on patient age, gender, calcium levels, parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels, and medications/comorbidities known to cause hypercalcemia. Results1000 patients within our database had porcelain gallbladder on imaging. Of these, 661 (245 male) had at least one serum calcium value for analysis. These patients were matched by age and gender with 6610 patients with cholelithiasis who had at least one serum calcium value. Rates of recurrent/persistent hypercalcemia were higher among patients with porcelain gallbladder at 16.8% versus 11.1% (p < 0.01). Rates of hyperparathyroidism were also higher among porcelain gallbladder patients at 12% versus 7.5% (p < 0.01). ConclusionPatients with porcelain gallbladder show higher rates of hypercalcemia and hyperparathyroidism than patients with cholelithiasis alone.