[Epidemiology of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis].
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.
Cárdenas-Lailson
Luis Eduardo
LE
Hospital General Dr. Manuel Gea González. lecardenaslailson@prodigy.net.mx
Torres-Gómez
Bertha
B
Medina-Sánchez
Salvador
S
Mijares-García
Juan Manuel
JM
Hernández-Calleros
Jorge
J
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