title: Ultrasonography incorrectly diagnoses gallbladder polyps.
abstract: To determine the accuracy of ultrasound-diagnosed polypoid lesions of the gallbladder in their institution, the authors reviewed the records of 41 patients with polypoid lesions of the gallbladder who underwent cholecystectomy, and collected data concerning age, sex, symptoms, and histopathologic diagnosis. Histopathologic evaluation confirmed polyps in only two patients (4.9%) categorized as having polypoid lesions of the gallbladder. Most specimens from patients with ultrasonography reports suggesting small polyps manifested cholesterolosis (17 of 41) or cholelithiasis (15 of 41). No specimen harbored malignancy. Mean patient age was 47.4 years, and the most common symptoms were pain (85%), nausea (44%), vomiting (29%), and abnormal liver function test results (14%). The accuracy of sonography for diagnosing polypoid lesions of the gallbladder was poor. Many of the small polyps seen on sonography most likely represented a stone embedded in the gallbladder wall or other abnormality. Because of the likelihood of cholelithiasis, the authors recommend that patients with biliary symptoms and ultrasonography findings suggesting polypoid lesions of the gallbladder undergo cholecystectomy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, College of Medicine and Public Health, Ohio State University, Columbus 43210, USA.
authors.forename: L J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Damore
authors.forename: C H
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Cook
authors.forename: K L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Cunningham
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Ellison
authors.forename: W S
authors.initials: WS
authors.lastname: Melvin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002784:Cholesterol / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011127:Polyps / Q000737:chemistry / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D002784:Cholesterol