| Cholesterolosis is a common affection of the | | | | polyps, soft prominences that emerge from the |
| biliary system, characterized by the | | | | gall bladder interior walls. The size of |
| accumulation and deposition of cholesterol | | | | these polyps varies from 1 to 10 mm. |
| inside the gall bladder and in its mucosal | | | | |
| membranes. Cholesterolosis usually occurs due | | | | Cholesterolosis can be only be revealed by |
| to chemical imbalances at the level of the | | | | modern scanning techniques such as ultrasound |
| biliary system and the disorder is rarely | | | | imaging. Ultrasound tests can quickly unveil |
| associated with high serum cholesterol | | | | the presence of polyps and lipidic masses |
| levels, diabetes mellitus or atherosclerosis. | | | | associated with cholesterolosis. Polyps |
| Cholesterolosis generally occurs on the | | | | appear as immobile prominences attached to |
| premises of inappropriate activity of the | | | | gall bladder mucosal walls. The presence of |
| gall bladder and changes in the composition | | | | these prominences rarely involves hardening |
| of bile, facilitating the deposition of | | | | or thickening of the gall bladder interior |
| cholesterol inside the gall bladder and | | | | membranes. Patients who present smaller |
| biliary ducts. In the absence of an | | | | polyps usually receive medication treatments |
| appropriate treatment, cholesterolosis can | | | | for overcoming the disorder. However, the |
| lead to serious complications, including gall | | | | presence of larger polyps often involves |
| bladder cancer. | | | | cholecystectomy. Patients confronted with |
| | | | such gall bladder problems may also receive |
| Although this type of gall bladder disorder | | | | biopsies before surgery. Although gall |
| can occur in both sexes, cholesterolosis | | | | bladder polyps are usually benign, |
| commonly affects women. Also, cholesterolosis | | | | cholesterolosis can also lead to malignant |
| has the highest incidence in people with ages | | | | activity at the level of the biliary system. |
| over 50. Most patients with cholesterolosis | | | | |
| are asymptomatic, rarely experiencing | | | | Similar to cholesterolosis, adenomyomatosis |
| symptoms such as diffuse abdominal pain or | | | | is a disorder that can also lead to malignant |
| discomfort. While the disorder is treatable | | | | cellular activity at the level of the gall |
| in its early stages, advanced forms of | | | | bladder. Unlike most forms of |
| cholesterolosis require surgical | | | | cholesterolosis, adenomyomatosis is |
| intervention. Medical reports indicate that | | | | characterized by thickening of the gall |
| cholesterolosis is responsible for more than | | | | bladder mucosal walls. In order to |
| 50 percent of cholecystectomies (surgical | | | | distinguish between the two disorders, |
| procedure that involves removal of the | | | | doctors commonly inspect the integrity and |
| diseased gall bladder). | | | | the general aspect of the gall bladder walls |
| | | | before deciding upon the final diagnosis. |
| Cholesterolosis can affect the gall bladder | | | | Speed is vital in diagnosing and treating |
| locally or generally. General forms of | | | | gall bladder disorders such as |
| cholesterolosis appear as inflammation of the | | | | cholesterolosis and adenomyomatosis, as both |
| gall bladder mucosa, corroborated with yellow | | | | these affections can lead to malignancies. |
| staining of the gall bladder tissues and | | | | Prompt medical intervention can easily make |
| membranes (due to deposition of fat). | | | | the difference between complete recovery and |
| Localized forms of cholesterolosis are | | | | partial recovery that exposes patients to a |
| characterized by the formation of small | | | | high risk of malignant disease. |