For most patients, cholecystectomy is recommended
Treatment and management is based on the pattern of calcification and the patient’s current health status. If there is incomplete calcification, cholecystectomy is warranted. Cholecystectomy may also be warranted when a patient is symptomatic and has complete calcification of the gallbladder. Regardless of the pattern of calcification, imaging surveillance of the patient is necessary. Moreover, cholecystectomy is preferred regardless of the status of the calcification if the patient is a good surgical candidate.7
It is important to send the gallbladder for histopathological examination after it is removed to determine the likelihood of malignancy.7 If cancer is ruled out, then no further work-up is necessary. If cancer is detected, then further evaluation, including additional surgery, may be necessary.
Our patient was a good surgical candidate, so we recommended cholecystectomy. The patient underwent surgery and the pathology report was negative for cancer.
CORRESPONDENCE
Pradeepa Vimalachandran, MD, MPH, 601 North 30th Street, Suite 6720, Omaha, NE 68131; PradeepaVimalachandran@creighton.edu.