Cholesterolosis of gallbladder: What it is, symptoms, and treatment Health ConditionsHealth ConditionsAlzheimer's & DementiaAnxietyArthritisAsthma & AllergiesBreast CancerCancerCardiovascular HealthCOVID-19Dermatology & SkincareDiabetesEnvironment & SustainabilityExercise & FitnessEye HealthHeadache & MigraineHealth EquityHIV & AIDSHuman BiologyInflammatory Bowel DiseaseLeukemiaLGBTQIA+Men's HealthMental HealthMultiple Sclerosis (MS)NutritionParkinson's DiseasePsoriasisSexual HealthWomen's HealthDiscoverNewsLatest NewsOriginal SeriesMedical MythsHonest NutritionThrough My EyesNew Normal HealthPodcastsHow to understand chronic painWhat is behind vaccine hesitancy?The amazing story of hepatitis C, from discovery to cureNew directions in dementia researchCan psychedelics rewire a depressed, anxious brain?Why climate change matters for human healthToolsGeneral HealthDrugs A-ZHealth HubsHealth ToolsBMI Calculators and ChartsBlood Pressure Chart: Ranges and GuideBreast Cancer: Self-Examination GuideSleep CalculatorHealth ProductsAffordable Therapy OptionsBlood Pressure MonitorsDiabetic SuppliesFitness TrackersHome GymsGreen Cleaning ProductsHow to Shop for CBDQuizzesRA Myths vs FactsType 2 Diabetes: Managing Blood SugarAnkylosing Spondylitis Pain: Fact or FictionConnectAbout Medical News TodayWho We AreOur Editorial ProcessContent IntegrityConscious LanguageNewslettersSign UpFollow UsMedical News TodayHealth ConditionsDiscoverToolsConnectSubscribe What to know about cholesterolosis of the gallbladderMedically reviewed by Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-C — By Zia Sherrell, MPH on July 27, 2022Several conditions can affect the gallbladder, one of which is cholesterolosis. This condition involves an accumulation of cholesterol in the gallbladder, forming polyps. Cholesterolosis does not usually cause symptoms. However, sometimes people can experience problems such as inflammation and pain. If symptoms are unmanageable, treatment for this condition typically involves surgery to remove the gallbladder. This article discusses cholesterolosis of the gallbladder, its symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment. What is cholesterolosis of the gallbladder Share on Pinterestflik47/Getty ImagesCholesterolosis of the gallbladder is characterized by the accumulation of cholesterol on the inner walls of the gallbladder. This fat or lipid accumulation forms plaques or polyps. The gallbladder is a small, pear-shaped sac located under the liver. Its function is to store and concentrate the bile that the liver produces. Bile is an alkaline fluid that helps break down fats in the intestine during digestion and aids fat absorption. The body excretes most cholesterol from the body into bile. Cholesterolosis of the gallbladder may occur as localized or diffused cholesterolosis. Localized gallbladder cholesterolosis involves individual polyps, while the diffused form of the condition involves groups of polyps. Doctors may also call diffused cholesterolosis “strawberry gallbladder.” The name comes from the stippled appearance of the tissue that resembles a strawberry when examined under a microscope. Both forms typically do not cause symptoms. Doctors are not sure why some people develop the condition. Risk factors for gallbladder issues, such as obesity, sex, and diabetes, do not seem to increase the likelihood of gallbladder polyps. Cholesterolosis of the gallbladder affects around 9–26% of people. It is uncommon in children. Signs and symptoms Gallbladder cholesterolosis is typically symptomless. However, if someone develops complications such as gallstones, gallbladder inflammation, or pancreatitis, they may experience abdominal pain and fever. Uncommonly, the polyps themselves can cause similar symptoms. Diagnosis Due to cholesterolosis of the gallbladder being typically symptomless, doctors may find it while diagnosing other conditions or during routine physicals. They may notice the condition on an ultrasound, MRI, or CT scan. The polyps may present as a single lesion, or there can be many. Although they can occur with gallstones, doctors typically see them on their own. When making a diagnosis, doctors must differentiate between gallstones and gallbladder polyps. Gallstones are usually moveable and unfixed. In comparison, polyps are attached to the wall of the gallbladder. Most polyps are dense and smaller than 1 centimeter in diameter. Larger polyps are more likely to be cancerous. Treatment Cholesterolosis of the gallbladder is usually benign and does not require treatment. However, if someone has symptoms, doctors may opt to remove the gallbladder during an operation called a cholecystectomy. Over 20 million people in the United States have gallbladder disease, and cholecystectomy is one of the most common surgeries for treating gallbladder issues. People often recover quickly. However, some people may experience symptoms that resemble those of gallstones after surgery, including:abdominal painindigestiondiarrheajaundice, yellowing of the eyes and skinfever Doctors call this postcholecystectomy syndrome (PCS). Experts believe the cause is bile leaking into the stomach or gallstones left in the bile ducts. The symptoms are usually mild and short-lived. Complications Cholesterolosis of the gallbladder is usually benign and causes no other health problems. However, it may lead to other conditions. For example, a 2018 case study reported details of a 55-year-old female who developed acute pancreatitis. Doctors found that she had cholesterol polyps in her gallbladder, but there was no evidence of gallstones. The person underwent cholecystectomy to remove the gallbladder, and her symptoms resolved. Cholesterolosis of the gallbladder may also be a precursor to gallstone formation, and sometimes people have both conditions. However, having cholesterolosis does not increase a person’s risk of gallbladder cancer. Contacting a doctor Anyone experiencing upper abdominal pain or fever should contact a doctor immediately. A doctor can order tests to determine the cause of the symptoms and recommend treatment options. Gallbladder problems can have serious outcomes. Acute cholecystitis is gallbladder inflammation that can happen if the cystic ducts become blocked. If left untreated, acute cholecystitis can lead to:gallbladder perforationsepsisdeath Anyone with persistent upper abdominal pain should consult a doctor to determine the cause and rule out serious conditions. Summary Cholesterolosis of the gallbladder is relatively common. It occurs when cholesterol deposits build up in the gallbladder, forming polyps. Doctors are not sure why some people develop cholesterolosis of the gallbladder. Cholesterolosis typically does not cause symptoms. Therefore, doctors may only discover the condition during routine physicals or while trying to diagnose other conditions. Treatment is usually not necessary unless someone experiences symptoms. Last medically reviewed on July 27, 2022CholesterolEndocrinologySurgery 8 sourcescollapsedMedical News Today has strict sourcing guidelines and draws only from peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical journals and associations. We avoid using tertiary references. We link primary sources — including studies, scientific references, and statistics — within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy.De Armas, R. E., et al. (2018). Cholesterolosis as a cause of acute pancreatitis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5997088Dilek, O. N., et al. (2019). Diagnosis and treatment of gallbladder polyps: Current perspectives.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6969319Jones, M. W., et al. (2022). Acute cholecystitis.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK459171Jones, M. W., et al. (2022). Gallbladder polyp.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK470211Jones, M. W., et al. (2022). Physiology, gallbladder.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK482488Suneja, U., et al. (2017). Incidental finding of gallbladder cholesterolosis in an infant with rotavirus infection and transaminitis.https://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/incidental-finding-of-gallbladder-cholesterolosis-in-an-infant-with-rotavirusinfection-and-transaminitis-2161-069X-1000510.php?aid=90195Vagholkar, K., et al. (2020). Cholesterolosis of the gall bladder: A surgical dilemma.https://www.ijsurgery.com/index.php/isj/article/view/6945/4321Zackria, R., et al. (2022). Postcholecystectomy syndrome.https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK539902FEEDBACK:Medically reviewed by Cynthia Taylor Chavoustie, MPAS, PA-C — By Zia Sherrell, MPH on July 27, 2022 Latest newsWhat sets 'SuperAgers' apart? Their unusually large neuronsOmega-3 may provide a brain boost for people in midlifeSeasonal affective disorder (SAD): How to beat it this fall and winterCDC: Monkeypox in the US 'unlikely to be eliminated in the near future'Why are more women prone to Alzheimer's? 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