Which condition is characterized by the absence of bile in the gallbladder?

Acalculous cholecystitis is characterized by the absence of bile in the gallbladder, primarily due to stagnant bile resulting from factors such as inflammation or functional impairment rather than gallstones. This condition often presents in patients who do not have the common triggers for gallbladder disease, such as stones, which is reflected in the prefix "a-" meaning without.

In acalculous cholecystitis, inflammation can lead to severe complications, including infection and necrosis, and the absence of bile can be a key indicator in imaging studies. The other conditions listed do not accurately describe the scenario of having no bile in the gallbladder. Cholecystolithiasis involves the presence of gallstones, while cholecystectomy refers to the surgical removal of the gallbladder, which would naturally result in no bile storage. Cholestasis indicates a reduction or stoppage of bile flow but does not specifically denote absence of bile in the gallbladder. Therefore, acalculous cholecystitis is the condition that fits the description accurately.