Xanthogranulomatous Cholecystitis: A Rare form of Chronic Cholecystitis

Abstract

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) is a rare form of cholecystitis distinguished by the presence of numerous yellow-brown intramural nodules with severe fibrosis and foam cells within the gallbladder wall, which may be misdiagnosed as a Gall Bladder Carcinoma. It is typically diagnosed between the sixth and seventh decades of life, predominantly in females. Clinical signs and symptoms are comparable to those of acute and chronic cholecystitis, making it challenging to distinguish XGC prior to surgery. The case of a 52-year-old man who presented to the emergency department with right upper quadrant abdominal pain for 4 months, radiating into the right shoulder is discussed. Patient was diagnosed to have Chronic Calcular Cholecystitis on Ultrasound. Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy was performed and XGC was diagnosed post-operatively through definitive histopathological examination. Preoperatively and intraoperatively, Xanthogranulomatous Cholecystitis is difficult to diagnose and pathological examination is required for a definitive diagnosis. XGC, which exhibits clinical and radiological signs similar to those of gallbladder tumors, must be included in the differential diagnosis in order to avoid an extensive surgical procedure.