Ultrasound Pictures “of Gallbladder polyps”

Gallbladder polyps are usually asymptomatic lesions which are incidental findings in up to 5% of the population. Occasionally they are the cause of biliary colic. The most common type are cholesterol polyps. These are reflective structures which project into the gallbladder lumen but do not cast an acoustic shadow. Unless on a long stalk they will remain fixed on turning the patient and are therefore distinguishable from stones
(Fig.a)fig b

(a) Small polyp in the gallbladder lumen—no posterior shadowing is evident. (b) A gallbladder polyp on a stalk moves with different patient positions.

There is an association between larger adenomatous gallbladder polyps and subsequent carcinoma, especially in patients over 50 years of age, so cholecystectomy is often advised (Fig. C). Smaller polyps of less than 1 cm in diameter may be safely monitored with ultrasound.11 In particular, gallbladder polyps in patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis have a much greater likelihood of malignancy (40–60%).

fig. c “Ultrasound Pictures” Large, fleshy gallbladder polyp These nodules are the result of a build-up of lipids in the gallbladder wall and are not usually visible on ultrasound. However in some cases, multiple
polyps also form on the inner surface, projecting into the lumen, and are clearly visible on ultrasound (Fig. d). Cholesterolosis may be asymptomatic,
or may be accompanied by stones and consequently requires surgery to alleviate symptom  of biliary colic.

fig.d Cholesterolosis TS of the gallbladder demonstrating multiple tiny polyps in the gallbladder

Ultrasound Tags: Ultrasound images of Gallbladder polyps, ultrasound images multiple tiny polyps in the gallbladder