Ahmer Akber Memon, Arshad Hussain Abro, Ahmed Hussain Pathan, Faisal Ghani Siddiqui, Abdul Aziz Laghari.
Xanthogranulomatous Cholecystitis (XGC) - A Diagnostic Dilemma.
J Liaquat Uni Med Health Sci Jan ;14(03):115-9.

INTRODUCTION: Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) is an unusual form of chronic cholecystitis characterised by marked thickening of the gallbladder wall and accumulation of lipid laden macrophages. It is frequently misdiagnosed preoperatively with gallbladder carcinoma. The aim of this study was to assess the preoperative clinical and radiological characteristics, operative findings and histological features of patients with XGC based on the experience of a single institution. In addition a literature search was performed to identify previously reported cases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted from January 2009 to December 2014. 1,989 consecutive patients who underwent elective cholecystectomy at the Surgical Unit-I, Liaquat University Hospital, Jamshoro, Pakistan were included in this study. Seventeen patients were identified to have XGC on histopathology. RESULTS: Seventeen (0.8%) cases of XGC were identified in 1,989 cholecystectomy specimens performed. The female to male ratio was 7.5:1. The average age in our series was 51.6 (range from 18 to 77 years). Two (11.7%) cases, suspected of malignancy during preoperative work-up, were reported as XGC on histopathology. CONCLUSION: Preoperative differentiation between XGC and carcinoma of the gallbladder remains challenging due to similarities in clinical presentation, radiological and operative findings. In view of this there should be a low threshold for conversion from a laparoscopic to an open procedure. KEYWORDS: Xanthogranulomatous, Cholecystitis, Carcinoma.

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