Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis resembling carcinoma with extensive tumorous infiltration of the liver and colon

Abstract

Background: Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis is a macrophage-rich inflammatory condition of the gallbladder that occasionally presents with tumorlike appearance.

Case presentation: In the present case the inflammation involved all the layers of the gallbladder, the surrounding connective tissue, and part of the right lobe of the liver and right transverse colon. The clinical and radiological findings were suggestive of advanced carcinoma of the gallbladder. However, intraoperative frozen section investigation revealed xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis, for which simple cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice.

Conclusions: The original cause of the condition is unclear in most cases. In the present case it is possible that rupture of the gallbladder in association with the patient's known history of trauma have initiated the process.