Acalculous adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder

The course of acalculous adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder in six patients is described. It is suggested that, even in the absence of gallstones, cholecystectomy should be advised when this condition is demonstrated radiographically in symptomatic subjects. The cause of the pain is unknown but it is probably related to excessive neuromuscular activity of the hyperplastic gallbladder wall. One of the patients was found also to have an adenomatous polyp containing areas of adenocarcinoma. Although this polyp was not situated within an area of adenomyomatosis, it is possible that, as in most other patients with carcinoma of the gallbladder, previous disease may have predisposed to malignant change.