title: [Epidemiology of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In order to study patients with a diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC), we analyzed their demographics, epidemiology and clinical data.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed the clinical records of XGC during a period of 6 years, obtaining demographic, epidemiologic and clinical data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of a total of 1425 cholecystectomies performed between January 1991 and December 1996, we found 35 cases of XGC (2.4%). Twenty six (74%) were women (median age: 44 years), 60% were from a low socioeconomic group, 34% has a history of alcoholism and smoking, and 25 patients (71%) had a blood type of O positive. Thirteen patients (37%) presented obstructive jaundice, 11 had dilatation of the choledocus and were treated with ERCP. Of the 35 cholecystectomies, 15 were urgent and 20 elective. Eight were operated laparoscopically and two were converted because of firm adhesions. We had 5 transoperative complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pre-operative XGC diagnosis is difficult, often mistaken for gall bladder cancer. The incidence in our study (2.4%) is higher than reports in industrialized countries (0.7-1.8%), with a female predominance. The most frequent clinical presentation is that of chronic cholecystitis, but we found a high percentage of patients with obstructive jaundice. We had 0% mortality and 26% morbidity, and no association was found between XGC and gallbladder cancer.
authors.affiliation: Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González. lecardenaslailson@prodigy.net.mx
authors.forename: Luis Eduardo
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Cárdenas-Lailson
authors.forename: Bertha
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Torres-Gómez
authors.forename: Salvador
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Medina-Sánchez
authors.forename: Juan Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Mijares-García
authors.forename: Jorge
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hernández-Calleros
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D015616:Histiocytosis, Non-Langerhans-Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged