Late follow-up of polypoid lesions of the gallbladder smaller than 10 mm

Objective To determine the variation in number, size, and symptoms in patie nts with polypoid lesions of the gallbladder. Summary Background Data A polypoid lesion is any elevated lesion of the gal lbladder mucosa. Several studies have been reported in patients undergoing cholecystectomy, but little information exits regarding the natural history of these lesions in nonoperated patients. Methods A total of 111 patients with ultrasound diagnosis of polypoid lesio ns smaller than 10 mm were followed up by clinical evaluation and ultrasono graphy. Twenty-seven patients underwent cholecystectomy. Results There was no difference in terms of gender, Nearly 80% of the lesio ns were smaller than 5 mm; they were single in 74%. In nonoperated patients , 50% remained of similar size at the late follow-up, 26.5% increased in nu mber and size, and 23.5% shrank or disappeared. Among the operated patients , 70% corresponded to cholesterol polyps. None of the patients developed sy mptoms of biliary disease or gallstones or adenocarcinoma. Conclusions Ultrasound is useful in the follow-up of patients with polypoid lesions of the gallbladder. Lesions smaller than 10 mm do not progress to malignancy or to development of stones, and none produced symptoms or compl ications of biliary disease.