Gallbladder wall cholesterolosis

Last revised by Jeremy Jones on 19 Sep 2021

Gallbladder wall cholesterolosis is a type of cholecystosis, therefore, results from the accumulation of cholesterol esters and triglycerides in the macrophages within the gallbladder wall (cf. adenomyomatosis, where cholesterol accumulation is intraluminal). It is a benign condition that may occur in two forms:

Although not clearly established if a form of localized cholesterolosis, cholesterol polyps represent a different spectrum of the same disease. 

Its prevalence may range around 4-8% and there may be a male predilection 1.

Usually clinically silent, with most patients being asymptomatic.

It is characterized by mucosal villous hyperplasia with excessive accumulation of cholesterol esters within epithelial macrophages. Please refer to the article on strawberry gallbladder for further details in the diffuse form of the condition. 

The natural history, in general, is benign.

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