Objective: The purpose of this study was to histologically classify intramural nodules associated with xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis and to evaluate the radiologic findings for each type of nodule.
Materials and methods: Pathologic slides and radiologic studies including 14 sonographic and 16 CT examinations in 19 patients (12 men, seven women; mean age, 61 years) with xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis were reviewed. Radiologic findings were correlated with the histologic type of intramural nodule: abscess, xanthogranuloma, or a combination of the two. The duration of symptoms for each type of intramural nodule was also evaluated.
Results: Histologically, all patients had intramural nodules that were either abscesses (n = 11), xanthogranulomas (n = 5), or a combination of the two (n = 3). Radiologic studies revealed nodules in 10 patients (52.6%; four abscesses, four xanthogranulomas, and two combinations). For abscesses, the mean interval from onset of symptoms to surgery was 25 days; for xanthogranulomas, 70 days (p = .0057). Abscesses were associated with more complications of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis.
Conclusion: Intramural nodules in patients with xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis were found to represent abscesses or xanthogranulomas at histology. Xanthogranulomas were more often revealed radiologically than were abscesses. Abscesses caused more clinical complications. Because symptoms lasted longer for xanthogranulomas, we hypothesized that abscesses may become xanthogranulomas.