Ultrasonography incorrectly diagnoses gallbladder polyps

To determine the accuracy of ultrasound-diagnosed polypoid lesions of the g allbladder in their institution, the authors reviewed the records of 41 pat ients with polypoid lesions of the gallbladder who underwent cholecystectom y, and collected data concerning age, sex, symptoms, and histopathologic di agnosis. Histopathologic evaluation confirmed polyps in only two patients ( 4.9%) caterorized a having polypoid lesions of the gallbladder. Most specim ens from patients with ultrasonography reports suggesting small polyps mani fested 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 f unction test results (14%). The accuracy of sonography for diagnosing polyp oid lesions of the gallbladder was poor. Many of the small polyp seen on so nography most likely represented a stone embedded in the gallbladder wall o r other abnormality. Because of the likelihood of cholelithiasis. the autho rs recommend that patients with biliary symptoms and ultrasonography findin gs suggesting polypoid lesions of the gallbladder undergo cholecystectomy.