What Is a Strawberry Gallbladder

Strawberry gallbladder refers to the surface appearance (not shape) of the mucosa of the gallbladder due to multiple small collections of triglycerides and cholesterol esters within the lamina propria of the gallbladder wall (gallbladder wall cholesterolosis).

What causes a strawberry gallbladder?

The name strawberry gallbladder comes from the typically stippled appearance of the mucosal surface on gross examination, which resembles a strawberry. Cholesterolosis results from abnormal deposits of cholesterol esters in macrophages within the lamina propria (foam cells) and in mucosal epithelium.

What does it mean when you have polyps in your gallbladder?

Gallbladder polyps are growths that protrude from the lining of the inside of the gallbladder. They typically cause no noticeable symptoms and are often detected on imaging studies done for other reasons. Polyps can be cancerous, but they rarely are. About 95% of gallbladder polyps are benign.