Cholesterolosis (‘strawberry gallbladder’)

Cholesterolosis (‘strawberry gallbladder’)

Cholesterolosis (cholesterosis) is characterised by the accu - mulation of lipids (triglycerides, cholesterol precursors and cholesterol esters) in the mucosa of the gallbladder wall. These nodules are less than 1 /uni00A0 mm in diameter in about two-thirds of cases, which gives the m ucosa a coarse and granular appearance. The nodules in the remaining one-third of cases are larger and polypoid in appearance (polypoid form). The lipid accumulation creates yellow deposits on a background of hyperaemic mucosa (‘strawberry gallbladder’). It may be associated with cholesterol stones ( Figure 71.27 ).

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