Gallbladder polyps
Discuss Gallbladder polyps?
Gallbladder polyps are outgrowths of the gallbladder mucosal wall. They are usually found incidentally on ultrasonography or after cholecystectomy. The majority of these lesions are not neoplastic but are hyperplastic or represent lipid deposits (cholesterolosis). A minority of polyps could be adenomas or inflammatory polyps.
Discuss the clinical features of GB polyps?
Gallbladder polyps can be associated with biliary pain.
Discuss the treatment of GB polyps?
- Patients who have gallbladder polyps and concomitant gallstones should undergo cholecystectomy regardless of the polyp size or symptoms since gallstones are a risk factor for gallbladder cancer in patients with gallbladder polyps.
- Cholecystectomy should also be recommended for patients who have biliary colic.
- Polyps 10 to 20 mm in diameter should be regarded as possibly malignant. Cancer of this size is usually an early stage cancer and laparoscopic cholecystectomy with full thickness dissection is recommended. Polyps less than 10 mm can be followed up by regular USS.
- Lesions larger than 18 to 20 mm are usually malignant and should be resected. Because these lesions may represent advanced cancer, patients should undergo preoperative staging with a CT scan and EUS.
