Gallbladder Polyps: When to Worry and When to Watch

Gallbladder polyps are found in 5% of the population on ultrasound. Types: cholesterol polyps (60-70%, always benign), adenomyomatosis (25%, benign), inflammatory polyps (10%, benign), adenomas (4%, malignant potential), carcinoma (<1%). Surgery recommended for: any polyp >10mm, polyp in PSC patient, polyp with gallstones in symptomatic patient, rapid growth >2mm in 6 months. Surveillance for: polyps 6-9mm (repeat ultrasound at 6 months then annually for 5 years), polyps <6mm with no risk factors (repeat at 1 year, discharge if stable). Risk factors lowering surgery threshold: age >50, Asian ethnicity, sessile morphology, solitary polyp, rapid growth. Dr. Adarsh M Patil provides structured surveillance programmes for polyps not requiring immediate surgery.