To illustrate the imaging findings of the xanthogranulomatous inflammation of various organs in the abdomen and pelvis.

Xanthogranulomatous inflammations are rare aggressive inflammatory conditions that can be caused by infection, inflammation, histiocytic process. The pathologic features of xanthogranulomatous inflammation are abundant lipid-laden macrophages or histiocytes. Xanthogranulomatous inflammations are usually seen in cholecystitis and pyelonephritis. But they have been reported involving the various organs in the abdomen and pelvis. An awareness of the imaging findings of xanthogranulomatous inflammation of abdomen and pelvis is essential to achieve the proper diagnosis.

Xanthogranulomatous inflammatory disease is a rare chronic, aggressive disease pathologically characterized by the formation of soft, yellow nodules, which are composed foamy, lipid-laden macrophages (Fig 1). Several hypotheses have been proposed including defective lipid transport, hemorrhage, immunologic disorders, reaction to a specific infectious agent of low virulence, and lymphatic obstruction. It is commonly seen in the gallbladder and kidney, where it is referred to as xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis and xanthogranulomatous pyelonephritis. However, xanthogranulomatous inflammatory disease also occurs in various organs such as the pancreas, stomach, colon,...

Although xanthogranulomatous inflammation in the abdomen and pelvis is rare, it should be considered when aggressive findings are present on imaging. Familiarity with the imaging findings of xanthogranulomatous inflammation of various organs can assist in making the correct diagnosis.

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