Differential Diagnosis between the Gallbladder Cancer and Xanthogranulomatous Cholecystitis by Multiple Percutaneous Biopsies

Xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC) is a rare form of chronic inflammatory disease that is often mistaken for gallbladder (GB) cancer. Differential diagnosis based on clinical features or imaging scan is virtually impossible and pathological confirmation is crucial for diagnosis. A 72-year-old man was referred to an oncologist for suspicion of unresectable GB cancer with liver metastasis. He was admitted and underwent three percutaneous needle biopsies. However, all specimens showed non-neoplastic hepatic parenchyma with the third biopsy indicating xanthogranulomatous inflammation with abscess formation. The final biopsy changed the diagnosis from GB cancer to XGC. He was prescribed oral antibiotics and discharged after multiple ERBD stenting because of benign biliary stricture. He regularly visited an outpatient clinic and a follow-up CT scan showed a decrease of gallbladder mass. In conclusion, xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis should be considered in the differential diagnoses of GB mass and clinical suspicion is very important for a precise diagnosis.