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Revision 8 for 'Gallbladder polyp'

Gallbladder polyp

A gallbladder polyp is defined as any elevated lesion of the mucosal surface of the gallbladder.  They are relatively frequent, seen in around 5% of the population. They are typically asymptomatic and incidentally found. 1

Pathology

The pathology of gallbladder polyps is variable. They are most frequently benign pseudotumours or benign tumours but a small proportion can be malignant (~5%) 2.

Benign polyps (~95%)
  • cholesterol polyps ( > 50% of all polyps)3
  • adenoma ( ~ 30%, possibly premalignant)4
  • inflammatory polyps
  • adenomyomatosis

Rare

  • heterotrophic gastric or pancreatic tissue
  • leiomyoma
  • fibroma
  • neurofibroma
  • lipoma
  • hamartoma
  • haemangioma
  • granulosa cell tumour
Malignant polyps (~5%)
  • adenocarcinoma (~90% of malignant polyps)

Rare

  • metastasis into gallbladder
  • squamous cell carcinoma
  • angiosarcoma

Associations

Peutz-Jeghers syndrome : increased prevalence of adenomas within the gallbladder.

Radiographic features

Ultrasound

Non shadowing polypoid ingrowth into gallbladder lumen. Usually immobile unless there is a relatively long pedunculated component.

CT

May show focal rounded thickening of the gall bladder wall

Differential diagnosis 

Adherent gallstone

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