You might not have heard the term \u201ccholesterolosis\u201d before, because it is pretty unknown. But being unknown doesn’t mean it is uncommon. Many people have it and misinterpret it as mere gallstones. The buildup of cholesterol esters and them sticking to the walls of an organ characterized cholesterolosis. These then form polyps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cholesterolosis most commonly affects the gallbladder. Gallbladder; a small pear-shaped organ responsible for storing bile and helping in converting cholesterol and fats into cholesteryl esters. Cholesteryl esters aid digestion and cause the cholesterol and fatty acids transport throughout the body. In cholesterolosis, these cholesteryl esters build up and form polyps by sticking to the walls of the gallbladder. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cholesterolosis often occurs in adults and rarely in children. But the reason behind its lower prevalence in children could be the lack of screening in them, which may leave the disease undiagnosed and untreated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Have you ever heard the term strawberry gallbladder? Well, it is a simple term for cholesterolosis. Cholesterolosis has two types; localized and diffused. Individual polyps characterize localized cholesterolosis. Whereas diffused cholesterolosis, also known as strawberry gallbladder means that there are groups of polyps. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For you to understand the condition better, first you must know all the terms associated with it. So here is a guide for that too. Cholesteryl ester<\/strong>, which marks the diagnosis of cholesterolosis is simply a dietary lipid. These pack more lipoproteins in them and are used for more efficient cholesterol transport throughout the body. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Polyps<\/strong> which result from cholesteryl ester buildup are defined by the abnormal and excessive growth of tissue. These appear as small flat bumps or tiny mushroom stalks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The presence of lipid-containing macrophages in the lamina propria of the gallbladder characterize this disease. The etiology behind this disease is very poorly understood. But according to a study conducted in 2012, the accumulation of cholesterol esters and triglycerides causes increased hepatic synthesis of these lipids in the gallbladder. Normally, the gallbladder can absorb non-esterified and free cholesterol from the bile. The cholesterol is esterified in the ER (endoplasmic reticulum) and lipid droplets are formed. These droplets are released into the intercellular space where they are phagocytosed by macrophages. On the other hand, patients with cholesterolosis have supersaturated bile which suggests that this disease results from increased cholesterol uptake from supersaturated bile. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another theory hints at the probable defect in the macrophages. These defected macrophages fail to metabolize or excrete cholesterol absorbed from the bile. If seen under a microscope, the lipid deposits inside the gallbladder appear as yellow flecks against a dark green background. The appearance is quite similar to strawberries, hence the name \u201cstrawberry gallbladder\u201d. In severe cases, these deposits may form polypoid excrescences that project into the lumen. These lesions are usually small but can be large enough to be detected by simple imaging techniques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The hallmark of cholesterolosis is the accumulation of macrophages in an expanded lamina propria. This appears as a thickened fold or polyps. The mucosa inside can be normal or inflamed. The inflammation usually occurs in patients with coexisting gallstones. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cholesterolosis is a symptomless disease. A very few people that report notice some symptoms, report the symptoms to be strikingly similar to that of gallstones. Due to the similarity in symptoms, we sometimes misdiagnose cholesterolosis as gallstones. This pseudo diagnosis can be a major hindrance in the receival of proper treatment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The build-up of cholesteryl esters mark cholesterolosis, so the simple cause behind this is the unusually exorbitant amount of cholesteryl esters. To get deeper into the causes of cholesterolosis, one must find out the reasons behind excessive cholesteryl esters. A definite cause of these esters is yet to be determined by scientists and researchers. There has been a lot of debate regarding the cause behind the buildup of these esters and here is the narrowed down list of the suspected culprits. We associate excessive alcohol consumption with all things that might go bad inside your body and gallbladder disease is not different from others, in this situation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If we were to narrow down all the causes to just one main cause, it would be the high amount of saturated cholesterol inside the body. Now the main cause of this abundant saturated cholesterol is yet to be determined. Vaguely speaking, the cause of cholesterolosis is also the degenerative process of aging. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Usually, you don\u2019t get diagnosed with cholesterolosis unless you have another related disease like gallstones. The only way to diagnose it is by using imaging tests like ultrasound, MRI (magnetic resonance imaging). This condition can also be discovered after a cholecystectomy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Cholesterolosis increases the risk of gallstones. But there is not enough evidence to support the claim. This condition is likely to be misdiagnosed as “adenomyomatosis” because both look very similar in image testing. A detailed MRI can make your doctor able to differentiate between the two. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This condition, if courts in children can be a cause of other medical complications. All of these conditions cause the build-up of fat, either inside an organ or blood vessels. These conditions include.<\/p>\n\n\n\n People believe that gallstones are a risk factor for pancreatitis. Although the studies carried on the topic show little evidence of the relationship between the two. Cholesterolosis usually occurs with gallstones. Both of these conditions have similar causal factors. This association has lead experts to hint at the possible relationship between cholesterolosis and the development of acute pancreatitis. Acute pancreatitis is the inflammation of the pancreas that sets suddenly. It comes with extreme abdominal pain, but the pain subsides after some time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As polyps are a major indicator of cholesterolosis we will use them as an indicator of the disease. An early study<\/a> suggests that polyps can be a cause of acute pancreatitis. This conclusion was drawn by studying a patient that underwent cholecystectomy. His reports showed the presence of cholesterol polyps in the mucosa of the gallbladder. The results also suggested a wider than usual bile duct. According to the researcher, the polyps must have sloughed off leading to a wider bile duct. This eventually led to the development of pancreatitis. Other studies also support this conclusion.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Science Behind It<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cholesterolosis Symptoms<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Causes <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Cholesterolosis Diagnosis<\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Cholesterolosis Risk Factors <\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Cholesterolosis leads to pancreatitis<\/h3>\n\n\n\n