What are organized sludge balls in the gallbladder referred to as?

Organized sludge balls in the gallbladder are referred to as tumefactive sludge. This term describes a condition where bile contains thickened or congealed sludge that has a more organized appearance, resembling a mass or ball within the gallbladder. Tumefactive sludge is distinct from simple sludge in that it may appear more solid and can sometimes mimic gallstones on imaging studies.

In contrast, cholecystitis refers to inflammation of the gallbladder, which can occur due to various causes, including the presence of gallstones but is not synonymous with organized sludge. Gallstones themselves are solid formations that can vary in composition, including cholesterol stones or pigment stones, and do not refer to the more diffuse and less organized form of sludge. Cholesterolosis, on the other hand, is a condition characterized by the accumulation of cholesterol within the gallbladder wall and does not pertain specifically to organized sludge. Thus, the appropriate term for organized sludge balls is indeed tumefactive sludge, which highlights their specific characteristics in imaging and diagnosis.