Brunei International Medical Journal  2012;8(1):38-42

Porcelain gallbladder: The rare end of the spectrum of chronic cholecystitis

Mohannur Sokanathan MATHIAZHAGAN ; Anand JALIHAL ; Vui Heng CHONG

Keywords

Carcinoma; Chronic Cholecystitis; Calcification; Gallstone Disease

Country

Brunei Darussalam

Language

English

Abstract

Porcelain gallbladder is an uncommon manifestation of chronic cholecystitis. The wall of the gallbladder becomes hard, calcified and brittle with a bluish-white tinge which resembles a porcelain ceramic. This condition is associated with increased risk of malignancy. We report two cases, both female patients (both 56 years old) who were diagnosed with porcelain gallbladder. One presented with a pyogenic liver abscess and the other was diagnosed to have gallbladder carcinoma on the background of porcelain gallbladder with metastases in liver.