gallbladder adenomyomatosis

Adenomyomatosis is a rare disease of the gallbladder characterized by epithelial proliferation and formation of mucosal pouches through the thickened muscular layer of the gallbladder wall: the so-called Rokitansky-Aschoff sinus.

Most of the patients remain asymptomatic. Hence, adenomyomatosis is usually an incidental finding on ultrasonography performed for other reasons.

Adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder is considered an acquired pathologic condition that affects adults.

Gallbladder adenomyomatosis (GBA) is an infrequent disease of unknown origin and of slow growth. It may be located in any place of the gallbladder, but fundamentally in the bottom.

Occasionally, it can be located in the biliar conduits. Diagnosis is usually difficult because generally it is asymptomatic and not suspected. Patients developing symptoms present a clinical picture similar to that of the cholelithiasis.

Abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT) are the most useful tests to guide the diagnosis; however, it is the histopathological study that confirms it.

References

 Zani A, Pacilli M, Conforti A, Casati A, Bosco S, Cozzi DA. Adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder in childhood: report of a case and review of the literature. Pediatr Dev Pathol. 2005 Sep-Oct;8(5):577-80. PMID: 16211444