Antral gland metaplasia in gallbladder

Objectives: To perform a prospective study of frequency, extensionand distribution of antral metaplasia in specimens of gallbladderremoved due to symptomatic lithiasis. Methods: A total of 35patients who underwent elective cholecystectomy was studiedfrom April to June 2002. Patients were divided into two groups -one group comprised patients aged ≤ 53 years and the otherincluded those aged over 53 years. From each gallbladder specimen,three fragments collected from the neck, body and fundus andmeasuring 5mm x 15 mm were processed. Antral metaplasia wasdiagnosed by the presence of cuboid cells with small basal nucleiand abundant cytoplasm containing mucous droplets. Results:There were 27 77.1%) females and 8 (22.9%) males; the medianage was 53 years (range: 21-72 years). Antral metaplasia wasdiagnosed in 21 (60%) specimens as small isolated foci (35.3%) ormultiple foci (64.7%). Intestinal metaplasia was foundconcomitantly in 17 (80.9%) cases. Although antral metaplasiawas more frequent in the older age group (61.9% x 28.6%), thesefindings were not significant. Antral metaplasia was most frequentlyfound in the fundus (42.9% of specimens) and equally in the bodyand neck (25.7%). Conclusions: Antral metaplasia was frequent ingallbladders with lithiasis and chronic inflammatory processremoved in elective surgeries. Additional studies with largernumbers of specimens are necessary for better knowledge aboutthe distribution and extension of this condition in our population.