Abstract：Objective: To investigate MRI features of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis(XGC). Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 15 patients with histological confirmed XGC. All patients underwent preoperative MRI scanning. The MRI features were: the presence of intramural nodules, mucosal line, the patterns of wall thickening and enhancement, and the presence of stones in the gallbladder. Peribiliary fat tissue and liver parenchyma changes were also reviewed. MRI features were correlated with pathologic findings. Results: Gallbladder wall thickening occurred in all of the 15 cases. The thickness of gallbladder wall was differ from 0.8cm to 2.6cm, in which 2 cases were local thickening, 13 cases were diffuse thickening; 2 cases were homogeneous thickening, and 11 cases had inhomogeneous thickening. Nodules were found in 10 patients, which were low signal intensity on T1WI and high signal intensity T2WI. Mucous membrane enhanced significantly in all cases, in which 11 cases had intact mucosal lining, 4 cases had interrupted mucosal lining. All patients had cholecystolithiasis. Temporal enhancement of arterial phase in liver parenchyma in all case. Seven cases associated with liver abscess. Six cases had duodenal adhesions. Conclusion: Frequent image manifestations of XGC were asymmetrical thickening of gallbladder wall, nodule in gallbladder wall, intact mucosal lining, and temporal enhancement of arterial phase in liver parenchyma. All of these features were relevant to pathological results.
2010, Vol. 21 
