Cholesterol Gallstones : Composition

Comments:
Composition: Cholesterol gallstones contain variable amounts of cholesterol monohydrate crystals. About 10% are pure cholesterol stones, composed of 100% cholesterol monohydrate. The remainder are referred to as mixed stones and contain at least 50% cholesterol admixed with precipitates of amorphous calcium bilirubinate and small amounts of calcium carbonate and phosphate.

This image shows pure cholesterol stones. The luminal bile is thick, viscous yellow liquid with floating particles of lipid. Image courtesy of Dr. Jean-Christophe Fournet, Paris, France; humpath.com; Used with permission; image cropped from the original