Gallbladder vasculitis associated with type-1 cryoglobulinemia

A patient with type I cryoglobulinemia and monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance was found to have acute gallbladder vasculitis. The most prominent manifestation was upper abdominal pain in the setting of normal liver tests. An abdominal ultrasound demonstrated a thickened gallbladder wall, along with gallstones. HIDA scanning showed a nonfunctioning gallbladder with an edematous and thickened wall. There was characteristic leukocytoclastic vasculitis affecting the gallbladder. The patient recovered uneventfully subsequent to cholecystectomy. Gallbladder vasculitis should be considered in patients with unexplained upper abdominal pain and systemic vasculitis.