title: Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis masquerading as gallbladder cancer: can it be diagnosed preoperatively?
abstract: Background. Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) is often misdiagnosed as gallbladder cancer (GBC). We aimed to determine the preoperative characteristics that could potentially aid in an accurate diagnosis of XGC masquerading as GBC. Methods. An analysis of patients operated upon with a preoperative diagnosis of GBC between January 2008 and December 2012 was conducted to determine the clinical and radiological features which could assist in a preoperative diagnosis of XGC. Results. Out of 77 patients who underwent radical cholecystectomy, 16 were reported as XGC on final histopathology (Group A), while 60 were GBC (Group B). The incidences of abdominal pain, cholelithiasis, choledocholithiasis, and acute cholecystitis were significantly higher in Group A, while anorexia and weight loss were higher in Group B. On CT, diffuse gallbladder wall thickening, continuous mucosal line enhancement, and submucosal hypoattenuated nodules were significant findings in Group A. CT findings on retrospect revealed at least one of these findings in 68.7% of the cases. Conclusion. Differentiating XGC from GBC is difficult, and a definitive diagnosis still necessitates a histopathological examination. An accurate preoperative diagnosis requires an integrated review of clinical and characteristic radiological features, the presence of which may help avoid radical resection and avoidable morbidity in selected cases.
authors.affiliation: The Institute of Surgical Gastroenterology & Liver Transplantation, Centre for GI Bleed, Division of HPB Diseases, Stanley Medical College Hospital, Old Jail Road, Chennai 600 001, India.
authors.forename: Ashwin
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rammohan
authors.affiliation: The Institute of Surgical Gastroenterology & Liver Transplantation, Centre for GI Bleed, Division of HPB Diseases, Stanley Medical College Hospital, Old Jail Road, Chennai 600 001, India.
authors.forename: Sathya D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Cherukuri
authors.affiliation: The Institute of Surgical Gastroenterology & Liver Transplantation, Centre for GI Bleed, Division of HPB Diseases, Stanley Medical College Hospital, Old Jail Road, Chennai 600 001, India.
authors.forename: Jeswanth
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sathyanesan
authors.affiliation: The Institute of Surgical Gastroenterology & Liver Transplantation, Centre for GI Bleed, Division of HPB Diseases, Stanley Medical College Hospital, Old Jail Road, Chennai 600 001, India.
authors.forename: Ravichandran
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Palaniappan
authors.affiliation: The Institute of Surgical Gastroenterology & Liver Transplantation, Centre for GI Bleed, Division of HPB Diseases, Stanley Medical College Hospital, Old Jail Road, Chennai 600 001, India.
authors.forename: Manoharan
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Govindan