Gallbladder Polyps

Abstract

Most small gallbladder polyps are benign and do not change significantly over time. They are usually incidental findings on ultrasound. Therefore, these polyps should be checked periodically with routine percutaneous ultrasonography. In the asymptomatic patient, gallbladder polyps that are greater than 1 cm in diameter should be treated with cholecystectomy. The size of the polyp and the patient greater than 50 years are important risk factors for malignant potential. Patients who have biliary pain and small gallbladder polyps without gallstones present a difficult management decision for the clinician. If the physician is confident that the polyps are the source of the pain, patients should be referred for cholecystectomy. Endoscopic ultrasound and positron emission tomography may prove to be useful in assessing the malignant potential of large gallbladder polyps. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy is the treatment of choice for most gallbladder polyps. If a malignant polyp is suspected, patients should undergo an open cholecystectomy.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Gallbladder Polyps: Current Perspectives

“…It is believed that the accumulation develops as a result of a disorder in cholesterol metabolism. [24][25][26] These lesions are considered more to be pseudopolyps. They constitute 60-70% of all polypoid lesions.…”

Diagnosis of gallbladder problems using three-dimensional ultrasound

“…Gallbladder polyps have a baseline malignancy rate of 3-8% [15], but with a diameter of 10 mm or larger this rises to a significantly greater (37-88%) chance of being malignant [16,17]. However, current opinion suggests that patients with polyps over 5 mm in diameter are at a greater risk of malignancy if combined with patient age of over 50, ethnicity or rapid growth of the polyp, and follow-up and/or cholecystectomy should be considered for this group [18,19]. While this is still above the 4 mm visualisation cutoff for this study, it does not leave much room for leeway.…”

Three‐Dimensional Sonography of Biliary Tract Disorders

“…On sonography, they are nonmobile and nonshadowing, with an echogenicity similar to that of the wall of the gallbladder. The sensitivity of sonography in detecting gallbladder polyps is 36% to 90% 21 . The prevalence of polyps of the gallbladder is 1% to 4%.…”

“…The sensitivity of sonography in detecting gallbladder polyps is 36% to 90%. 21 The prevalence of polyps of the gallbladder is 1% to 4%. Most are the result of inflammation or lipid deposits.…”