Fact-sheet: Cholesterolosis of gallbladder
Updated on 04/23/2019 at 9:54 AM
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Definition
Acquired condition.
Hyperplasia of the gallbladder mucosa with accumulation of cholesterol deposits within epithelial macrophages.
Diffuse form (diffuse, nonspecific wall thickening).
Focal form (accumulation of lipid-laden macrophages, resulting in the formation of cholesterol "polyps").
Prevalence: approximately 10% in autopsy series.
Clinical features
Asymptomatic.
Laboratory findings
Unremarkable.
Radiography
not visible.
Ultrasound
Study of choice:
- "Polyp" less than 10 mm in size.
- No posterior acoustic shadowing.
- Attached to the wall and of the same echogenicity as the wall.
- Multiple.
- Nonmobile.
CT
of limited value.
Differential diagnosis with a gallbladder adenoma if size > 10 mm.
Nuclear medicine
no associated hypermetabolism.
Management
No treatment.
Differential diagnosis
Gallbladder adenomyomatosis.
Gallbladder adenoma (rarer, larger, Doppler signal or post-contrast enhancement).