Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis: Challenges in management & Feasibility of laparoscopic surgery

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) is a rare, unusual and destructive form of chronic cholecystitis. It is clinically indistinguishable from other forms of cholecystitis and hence difficult to diagnose. Due to its propensity to form dense adhesions with stuctures surrounding the gall bladder and mimic malignancy of gall bladder intraoperatively, it's difficult to manage. This retrospective study was conducted with the aim to review the clinicopathologic presentation of XGC and the possibility of its laparoscopic management.

All cases of histopathologically diagnosed XGC from January 2008 to December 2012 at Sharda Hospital, School of Medical Sciences & Research, Greater Noida were analyzed retrospectively.

Sixty two cases of biopsy proved XGC were studied.The mean age at presentation was 56.4 ± 14.3 years (range 30 – 72 years), with a male: female ratio of 1.6:1. Gall bladder wall thickening on ultrasonography was seen in 91.9% cases and all (100%) had cholelithiasis. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy was possible in 18 (29%) cases, with a high conversion rate of 71% to open surgery. Two cases of carcinoma gall bladder accompanying XGC were documented. Both the mean operative time and hospital stay for laparoscopic surgery were longer for cases with XGC (105 minutes & 4.2 days respectively). No mortality occurred during the study period.

XGC is difficult to diagnose preoperatively due to lack of distinguishing clinical features and imaging study results. Due to dense pericholecystic adhesions laparoscopic surgery though feasible in some cases is difficult to perform with a high conversion rate. Overall morbidity is also increased due to same reasons.