Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XC) is a rare benign disease often confused with carcinoma gall bladder (CaGB). We retrospectively reviewed the clinical, radiological and operative features of 81 patients with XC alone (73) or XC with associated CaGB (8). Patients with XC alone had no gender preponderance, had a mean age 48 years and mean duration of symptoms of 34 months. Most XC patients (75%) had clinical features of chronic cholecystitis. On the other hand, patients with both XC and CaGB had a female preponderance, a mean age of 60 years and mean duration of symptoms of 6 months. In this group, the USG and operative findings often supported the clinical impression/findings. Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis is a benign condition which is often confused with CaGB. Associated CaGB is however present in a few patients; elderly women with relatively shorter duration of symptoms, have a greater chance of associated CaGB.