What Causes Sludge in the Gallbladder?
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What Is Sludge?
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Gallbladder sludge is composed of bile, with the denser variety of bile resting at the bottom. This more-densely composed bile contains cholesterol within the mucus.
Sludge Into Gallstones?
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Sludge either remains, disappears, or dissipates and returns. Sludge that remains may help form gallstones.
Potential Problems
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Sludge may lie in the gallbladder and never pose a problem, or it can sometimes take the blame for diseases like cholecystitis, pancreatitis and biliary colic. These complications can also be the cause of small gallstones.
Diagnostic Testing
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Transabdominal ultrasonography is one method of diagnosing sludge and other gallbladder problems. This painless, non-invasive exam helps identify sludge, gallstones, cholecystitis, obstructions, inflammation and pancreatitis.
Cholesterol and Phospholipids
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The sludge in the gallbladder may form from too much cholesterol being present in the bile or a low level of phospholipids. Sodium and calcium particles may also be present within the biliary sludge.
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