Management of Porcelain Gallbladder, Its Risk Factors, and Complications: A Review

The porcelain gallbladder condition describes gallbladder calcification. While gallbladder calcification is believed to increase the risk of developing gallbladder cancer, recent reports have shown that the malignancy risk is much lower than previously reported. Symptomatic patients with porcelain gallbladder should be recommended for cholecystectomy, but the management of asymptomatic patients is debatable. Based on recent evidence, prophylactic cholecystectomy is not routinely recommended in all patients with porcelain gallbladder. From the assessment of the current literature, there are three essential factors in the management of patients with porcelain gallbladder: 1) symptoms or complications of gallbladder disease, 2) calcification pattern and 3) patient age and comorbidities. Patients who do not undergo cholecystectomy should be educated about the symptoms of gallbladder diseases, and a thorough discussion is essential between patients and clinicians.

Porcelain gallbladder and its relationship to cancer

Summary Background Porcelain gallbladder (PGB) is defined as calcium deposits encrusting the internal visceral layer, which becomes hard, brittle, and bluish. Porcelain gallbladder is rare and has been found in less than 1% of routine cholecystectomy specimens. Several studies report an incidence of gallbladder carcinoma (GBC) associated with gallbladder calcification varying between 12.5 and 61%, data which have been known for 60 years. There is a lack of information concerning PGB and its association with GBC, and the aim of this study is to better define this relationship. Methods A total of 10 patients were found to have PGB in 1050 consecutive routine surgical cholecystectomies. Clinical and laboratory findings, gallbladder histologic examination, bile culture, and bile pH were related to stone composition analysis performed by X‑ray diffraction using Perkin–Elmer (Perkin Elmer Corp. Norwalk, CT, US) 1625 FTIR. Results Among the 10 patients with PGB, complete calcification of the entire gallbladder wall was present in six cases, while four patients had partial calcification. Gallstones were present in all cases of PGB, multiple stones in nine cases and a single stone in one case. Bile culture was performed in all patients of the series. Among the 10 cases with PGB, culture was positive in two cases. Conclusion PGB is a disease as rare as it is subtle. Moreover, the chronic stimulation by stones can generate an initial dysplasia that will subsequently turn into a neoplasm: the cancerization risk is probably no different from long-standing cholesterol or combined stones, but as risk factor for cancer it requires early cholecystectomy.

Primary clear cell carcinoma of gallbladder arising in porcelain gallbladder

Gallbladder carcinomas (GBCs) are the most common carcinomas of the biliary tract. The clear cell variant is encountered rarely, accounting for approximately 1% of all GBCs.Due to its rarity, the exact incidence and pathogenesis of this variant are unknown. Though hyalinising cholecystitis (porcelain gallbladder) is an established risk factor for development of conventional adenocarcinomas of the gallbladder, its role in the pathogenesis of the rare variants of GBC is not well-established. The current case raises the possibility that clear cell carcinoma of the gallbladder may arise through the same pathways as conventional adenocarcinomas of the gallbladder.