title: Polypoid lesions of the gallbladder: disease spectrum with pathologic correlation.
abstract: Gallbladder polyps are seen on as many as 7% of gallbladder ultrasonographic images. The differential diagnosis for a polypoid gallbladder mass is wide and includes pseudotumors, as well as benign and malignant tumors. Tumefactive sludge may be mistaken for a gallbladder polyp. Pseudotumors include cholesterol polyps, adenomyomatosis, and inflammatory polyps, and they occur in that order of frequency. The most common benign and malignant tumors are adenomas and primary adenocarcinoma, respectively. Polyp size, shape, and other ancillary imaging findings, such as a wide base, wall thickening, and coexistent gallstones, are pertinent items to report when gallbladder polyps are discovered. These findings, as well as patient age and risk factors for gallbladder cancer, guide clinical decision making. Symptomatic polyps without other cause for symptoms, an age over 50 years, and the presence of gallstones are generally considered indications for cholecystectomy. Incidentally noted pedunculated polyps smaller than 5 mm generally do not require follow-up. Polyps that are 6-10 mm require follow-up, although neither the frequency nor the length of follow-up has been established. Polyps that are larger than 10 mm are typically excised, although lower size thresholds for cholecystectomy may be considered for patients with increased risk for gallbladder carcinoma, such as patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis.
authors.affiliation: From the Mallinckrodt Institute of Radiology (V.M.M.), Department of Pathology (E.M.B.), and Department of Surgery (M.B.M.D.),Washington University School of Medicine, 510 S Kingshighway Blvd, Box 8131, St Louis, MO 63110; Department of Radiology, Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale, Ariz (C.O.M., A.K.H., N.D.); Department of Radiology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Ind (K.S.); Department of Radiology, University of Ottawa Faculty of Medicine, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada (A.Z.K.); and Department of Radiology, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Tex (K.M.E.).
authors.forename: Vincent M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Mellnick
authors.forename: Christine O
authors.initials: CO
authors.lastname: Menias
authors.forename: Kumar
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sandrasegaran
authors.forename: Amy K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Hara
authors.forename: Ania Z
authors.initials: AZ
authors.lastname: Kielar
authors.forename: Elizabeth M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Brunt
authors.forename: Maria B Majella
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Doyle
authors.forename: Nirvikar
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Dahiya
authors.forename: Khaled M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Elsayes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D005260:Female; D005705:Gallbladder Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011127:Polyps / Q000473:pathology*