porcelain gallbladder

Introduction

calcification of the gallbladder

Etiology

• excessive gallstones likely play a role

Epidemiology

• occurs predominantly in overweight middle-age women

Pathology

• may be variant of chronic cholecystitis
• inflammation with scarring of the gallbladder wall
• dystrophic calcification within the gallbladder wall

Diagnostic procedures

• abdominal ultrasound

Radiology

• abdominal CT

Complications

• gallbladder cancer 6%, < 2%

Management

• cholecystectomy indicated to prevent gallbladder cancer

More general terms

• cholecystitis