Cholesterol Granuloma of the Abdominal Wall: An Unusual Finding in the Setting of Renal Cell Carcinoma

Cholesterol granulomas are composed of a distinct type of granulation tissue that contains lipids and cholesterol crystals. They are not believed to be a pathological entity, but rather an inflammatory tissue reaction to the presence of trapped blood secondary to localized hemorrhage.¹ Cholesterol granulomas can be identified histologically by the presence of multi-nucleated giant cells, hemosiderin, and red blood cells along with their associated break-down products.¹ Recognizing cholesterol granulomas can provide clinical utility as they demonstrate a tendency to mimic carcinoma both clinically and radiologically.