Porcelain Gallbladder

Gross appearance:

(1) an enlarged gallbladder that may be whitish in color

(2) calcification of the mucosa and/or the entire gallbladder wall

Imaging findings:

(1) complete or partial calcification of the mucosal layer or entire wall of the gallbladder

(2) often the presence of gallstones

(3) thick shadowing in the gallbladder fossa on ultrasonography

Histologic appearance:

(1) chronic cholecystitis with fibrosis and calcifications

Complications:

(1) adenocarcinoma of the gallbladder (current rate estimates lower than previously reported)

(2) relative high rate of postoperative complications