Treatment and surveillance of polypoid lesions of the gallbladder in the United Kingdom

Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy for Gallbladder Polyps: Is It Overtreatment?

BACKGROUND

The gallbladder polyp (GP) is an accepted risk factor of gallbladder cancer and an indication for laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC). Generally, the pathologic result of GPs is benign, but it is difficult to distinguish a potential malignancy or a stone without pathological evaluation. This study compared the indication and pathologic result of cholecystectomy performed due to GP in our clinic.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study employed retrospective data analysis. Patients who underwent LC from August 2021 through August 2024 were included in the study. Demographic features, operation status, indications for surgery, hospital stay, concomitant surgery, pathologic outcomes, and complications were recorded from patients' data. Polyp sizes and number of polyps were taken from ultrasonography (USG) data.

RESULTS

A total of 533 patients were included in the study. The mean age was 44.31 ± 12.14, and 64.35% (n = 343) were of female gender. Twenty patients (3.75%) underwent surgery for GP. The mean polyp size was 7.47 mm (2-15); 65% of the patients (n = 13) had multiple polyps, and 35% (n = 7) had a single polyp. The mean hospital stay was 1.59 ± 0.88 days. The pathologic result of GP was pseudopolyp in 55% (n = 11) of cases and non-polyp in 45% (n = 9). One patient (0.18%) who underwent an operation for gallstone had a malignancy. The sensitivity of USG in detecting polyps was found to be 64.7%. The complication rate was 1.5% (n = 8).

CONCLUSION

The pathological result of many patients who undergo cholecystectomy due to GPs is pseudopolyp or adenoma. In our study, no carcinoma was observed in any patient who underwent surgery for polyps. Further studies are needed to determine the indication for surgery due to GP.

Follow-up of gallbladder polyps in a high-risk population of gallbladder cancer: a cohort study and multivariate survival competing risk analysis

BACKGROUND

The risk of neoplasia in gallbladder polyps seems to be low, but the evidence from populations at high-risk of gallbladder cancer is limited. We aimed to estimate the risk and to identify the factors associated with neoplastic polyps in a high-risk Hispanic population.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort was recruited between January 2010 and December 2019 at a Chilean university center. Multivariate survival analyses were conducted. Fine-Gray models were fitted to account for competing risks. Covariate adjustment was conducted using propensity scores. The main outcome was the development of gallbladder adenomas or adenocarcinoma.

RESULTS

Overall, 748 patients were included, 59.6% underwent cholecystectomy. The median follow-up of patients not subjected to cholecystectomy was 54.7 months (12-128.6 months). Seventeen patients (2.27%) developed the outcome. After adjustment by age, sex, intralesional blood flow, lithiasis and gallbladder wall thickening, only polyp size (≥10 mm, adjusted-HR: 15.01, 95%CI: 5.4-48.2) and number of polyps (≥3 polyps, adjusted-HR: 0.11, 95%CI: 0.01-0.55) were associated with neoplasia.

CONCLUSION

In a Hispanic population at high-risk for gallbladder cancer, gallbladder polyps seem to have a low risk of neoplasia. Polyp size was the main risk factor, while having multiple polyps was associated with an underlying benign condition.

Establishment of a nomogram prediction model for long diameter 10-15 mm gallbladder polyps with malignant tendency

BACKGROUND

Surgical indications for the treatment of gallbladder polyps are controversial. Evaluation of gallbladder polyps with malignant tendency and indications for cholecystectomy in patients with long diameter polyps of 10 to 15 mm require further analysis and discussion. In this study, our objective was to re-evaluate indications for the surgical resection of gallbladder polyps and construct a nomogram model for the prediction of gallbladder polyps with malignant tendency.

METHODS

Clinicopathologic data of 2,272 patients who had undergone cholecystectomy for gallbladder polyps were collected from 11 medical centers in China. Risk factor analyses and nomogram prediction model for gallbladder polyps with malignant tendency were conducted.

RESULTS

Excluding 311 patients with cholelithiasis and 488 patients with long diameter polyps ≤5 and >15 mm, factors that differed significantly among patients with gallbladder polyps having a long diameter of 6 to 9 mm (885 cases) and 10 to 15 mm (588 cases) were polyp detection time, CEA and CA19-9 levels, number of polyps, fundus, echogenicity, gallbladder wall thickness and postoperative pathologic features (P < .05). Among 588 patients with gallbladder polyps with a long diameter of 10 of 15 mm, multivariate analysis indicated the following independent risk factors of gallbladder polyps with malignant tendency: single polyps (OR = 0.286/P < .001), polyps with broad base (OR = 2.644/P = .001), polyps with medium/low echogenicity (OR = 2.387/P = .003), and polyps with short diameter of 7 to 9 or 10 to 15 mm (OR = 3.820/P = .005; OR = 2.220/P = .048, respectively). The C-index of the nomogram model and internal validation were .778 and .768, respectively. In addition, a sample online calculator for the nomogram prediction model had been created (https://docliqi.shinyapps.io/dynnom/).

CONCLUSION

Indications for cholecystectomy in patients with gallbladder polyps with a long diameter of 10 to 15 mm should be assessed by combining the information on short diameter, number of polyps, fundus, and echogenicity. The nomogram model can be used to predict the risk for the development of gallbladder polyps with malignant tendency.

Incidental Gallbladder Carcinoma in Gallbladder Polyps: Challenges of Gallbladder Malignancy for an Endemic Population

Background

Gallbladder polyps are considered pre-malignant lesions of gallbladder carcinoma. This study aims to highlight the role of early cholecystectomy in the management of gallbladder polyps in an endemic population.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 2,076 lap cholecystectomy procedures performed at the Department of Surgical Gastroenterology at a tertiary referral centre in Northern India was conducted and incidental malignancy in gallbladder polyps analysed. The 8th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer for tumour-node-metastasis (TNM) staging of gallbladder carcinoma was used.

Results

Of 54 patients with gallbladder polyps, 53 had benign histology and one had malignant cells in the lamina propria suggestive of T1a adenocarcinoma. The patient with the malignant polyp was older (57 years old) than the patients in the non-cancer group, which had a mean age of 45 (P = 0.039). The size of the malignant polyp was approximately 4 mm, significantly smaller than the average 7.9 mm size of the benign polys (P = 0.031).

Conclusion

Cholecystectomy needs to be considered early in the management of small-sized gallbladder polyps, particularly in areas endemic for gallbladder carcinoma.

Differential diagnosis of focal gallbladder lesions: The added value of contrast enhanced ultrasound with liner transducers

BACKGROUND AND AIM

To evaluate the benefits of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with high frequency transducers in characterization of focal gallbladder lesions (FGL).

MATERIAL AND METHODS

From January 2017 to April 2019, 59 FGL detected by B mode ultrasound (BMUS) were examined, first with the low frequency convex transducer (1-5 MHz) and afterwards with high frequency transducer (7.5-12 MHz). High frequency dynamic CEUS were applied after bolus injection of 4.8 ml Sulphur hexafluoride microbubbles (SonoVue®, Milan). The BMUS and CEUS imaging features were recorded and compared. All lesions were confirmed by surgical resection and histopathologic results.

RESULTS

The final diagnoses of 59 FGL included gallbladder adenocarcinoma (n = 15), gallbladder polyps (n = 11), gallbladder adenomas (n = 18), focal adenomyomatosis (n = 9), and gallbladder Ascariasis debris (n = 6). The mean diameter of FGL was 24.5±11.4 mm, and mean depth to the abdominal wall was 21.2±7.3 mm. While applying CEUS with high frequency transducer, specific diagnostic features, including arterial phase irregular intralesional vascularity (10/15, 66.7%), late phase hypoenhancement (12/15, 80%), destruction of gallbladder wall (8/15, 53.3%), infiltration to the adjacent liver (6/15, 40.0%) were significantly higher in malignant FGL. The overall sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic accuracy for the correct characterization of malignant FGL were significantly improved by CEUS with high frequency transducer (sensitivity 93.3%, specificity 88.5%, accuracy 100%).

CONCLUSION

With its superior contrast resolution, CEUS performed with high frequency transducers is helpful to achieve better visualization of gallbladder fundus and make differential diagnosis of gallbladder lesions, which might greatly improve diagnostic confidence between malignant and benign FGL.

Neoplastic polyps in gallbladder: a retrospective study to determine risk factors and treatment strategy for gallbladder polyps

Background

Preoperative differentiation of malignant and premalignant gallbladder polyps (GBPs) from benign lesions is a key imperative to guide treatment decision-making. We aimed to characterize the various types of GBPs and sought to identify the risk factors for neoplastic polyps. Our findings may help optimize treatment strategy.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of 686 patients with post-cholecystectomy pathologically-proven GBPs between January 2003 and December 2016. The patients were classified into non-neoplastic polyp group, benign neoplastic polyp group, and adenoma canceration group. Clinical features, ultrasound findings, and results of laboratory investigations and histopathological examination were reviewed and compared between the groups.

Results

Out of 686 patients, 542 (79.0%) had non-neoplastic polyps, 134 (19.5%) had neoplastic polyps, and 10 (1.5%) had adenoma canceration. The mean age was 46.06±12.12 years; 383 (55.8%) patients were female. The median (25^th percentile, 75^th percentile) time between diagnosis and surgery in the cholesterol polyp group [24 (3.5, 60) months] was significantly longer than that in adenoma [12 (2, 60) months] and adenoma canceration [5 (0.475, 12) months] groups. The mean diameter was 1.14±0.61 cm (range, 0.5-8.4 cm). Three hundred twelve (45.5%) patients had solitary polyps and intralesional blood flow was observed in 41 (6.0%) patients. On univariate analysis, age >49.5 years, polyp size >1.15 cm, solitary polyp, intralesional blood flow, absence of symptoms, and lack of cholecystitis showed a significant association with adenoma. On multivariate analysis, polyp size (>1.15 cm), intralesional blood flow, and lack of cholecystitis were independent predictors of adenoma.

Conclusions

Polyp size >1.15 cm, intralesional blood flow, and lack of cholecystitis were predictors of neoplastic polyps. Malignant transformation of adenoma may occur over a relatively short time.

Five year experience of gallbladder polyp surveillance and cost effective analysis against new European consensus guidelines

BACKGROUND

Gallbladder polyp (GBP) surveillance seeks to identify early neoplasms, but practice varies amongst surgical units. Recent European consensus guidelines have recommended an evidence-based GBP surveillance strategy. In a tertiary centre Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary unit we examine GBP surveillance, malignant yield, and assess cost-effectiveness of the new European consensus guidelines.

METHODS

Respective data were collected from all patients with ultrasonography-detected GBPs between January 2008 and January 2013.

RESULTS

558 patients had GBPs detected on ultrasonography. Following initial ultrasonography, 304 (54.5%) had further ultrasonography surveillance of which 168 were in a formal GBP surveillance programme. Pre-malignant/malignant pathology yield was 1.97% with an annual detection rate of 12.0 cases per 1000 GBPs surveyed. Cost-effectiveness analysis of European consensus guidelines calculated annual savings of £209 163 per 1000 GBPs surveyed. Compliance with these guidelines would result in an additional 12.5% of patients under surveillance requiring cholecystectomy.

CONCLUSION

GBP surveillance uptake was suboptimal at 32.8%. The incidence of pre-malignant/malignant lesions in GBPs emphasises the importance of surveillance for early detection and management with a view to avoiding the poor outcomes associated with more advanced gallbladder cancer. Adherence to the new European consensus guidelines would be clinically cost-effective with significant potential savings demonstrated in this study.

Management and follow-up of gallbladder polyps : Joint guidelines between the European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (ESGAR), European Association for Endoscopic Surgery and other Interventional Techniques (EAES), International Society of Digestive Surgery - European Federation (EFISDS) and European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE)

Objectives

The management of incidentally detected gallbladder polyps on radiological examinations is contentious. The incidental radiological finding of a gallbladder polyp can therefore be problematic for the radiologist and the clinician who referred the patient for the radiological examination. To address this a joint guideline was created by the European Society of Gastrointestinal and Abdominal Radiology (ESGAR), European Association for Endoscopic Surgery and other Interventional Techniques (EAES), International Society of Digestive Surgery – European Federation (EFISDS) and European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ESGE).

Methods

A targeted literature search was performed and consensus guidelines were created using a series of Delphi questionnaires and a seven-point Likert scale.

Results

A total of three Delphi rounds were performed. Consensus regarding which patients should have cholecystectomy, which patients should have ultrasound follow-up and the nature and duration of that follow-up was established. The full recommendations as well as a summary algorithm are provided.

Conclusions

These expert consensus recommendations can be used as guidance when a gallbladder polyp is encountered in clinical practice.

Key Points

• Management of gallbladder polyps is contentious

• Cholecystectomy is recommended for gallbladder polyps >10 mm

• Management of polyps <10 mm depends on patient and polyp characteristics

• Further research is required to determine optimal management of gallbladder polyps

Polypoid lesions of the gallbladder: analysis of 1204 patients with long-term follow-up

BACKGROUND

Polypoid lesions of the gallbladder (PLG) are common, and most are benign. Few lesions are found to be malignant, but are not preoperatively distinguished as such using common imaging modalities. Therefore, we compared characteristics of benign and malignant PLGs in depth.

METHODS

We enrolled 1204 consecutive patients diagnosed with PLG at Taipei Veterans General Hospital between January 2004 and December 2013. Patients underwent either surgery or regular follow-up with various imaging modalities for at least 24 months. The mean follow-up duration was 72 ± 32 months.

RESULTS

Of 1204 patients, 194 underwent surgical treatment and 1010, regular follow-up. In addition, 73 % patients were asymptomatic. The mean PLG size was 6.9 ± 7.7 (range 0.8-129) mm; the PLGs of 337 patients (28 %) grew during their follow-up periods. The majority of PLGs (90.4 %) were single lesions, and 10.5 % of patients had associated gallstones. The PLGs of 20.1 % of surgical patients were malignant. Malignant PLGs were found in 32.4 % of patients ≥50 years old and in 4.7 % of those <50 years old (p < 0.001). Right quadrant abdominal pain, epigastric pain, and body weight loss were the three most common symptoms associated with malignancy. Malignant PLGs were significantly larger than benign lesions (means: 27.5 ± 18.4 mm vs. 12.3 ± 12.3 mm, respectively, p < 0.001). Notably, the size of 5 % of malignant PLGs was 3-5 mm, and that of 8 % was 5-10 mm. The negative predictive value for gallbladder malignancy was 92.8 % based on a size ≥10 mm and 100 % based on a size ≥3 mm.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study reassesses the PLG size that warrants more aggressive intervention. Cholecystectomy remains mandatory for PLGs > 10 mm, but should also be considered a definitive diagnostic and treatment modality for PLGs with diameters of 3-10 mm.

Incidental non-benign gallbladder histopathology after cholecystectomy in an United Kingdom population: Need for routine histological analysis?

AIM

To analyse the range of histopathology detected in the largest published United Kingdom series of cholecystectomy specimens and to evaluate the rational for selective histopathological analysis.

METHODS

Incidental gallbladder malignancy is rare in the United Kingdom with recent literature supporting selective histological assessment of gallbladders after routine cholecystectomy. All cholecystectomy gallbladder specimens examined by the histopathology department at our hospital during a five year period between March 2008 and March 2013 were retrospectively analysed. Further data was collected on all specimens demonstrating carcinoma, dysplasia and polypoid growths.

RESULTS

The study included 4027 patients. The majority (97%) of specimens exhibited gallstone or cholecystitis related disease. Polyps were demonstrated in 44 (1.09%), the majority of which were cholesterol based (41/44). Dysplasia, ranging from low to multifocal high-grade was demonstrated in 55 (1.37%). Incidental primary gallbladder adenocarcinoma was detected in 6 specimens (0.15%, 5 female and 1 male), and a single gallbladder revealed carcinoma in situ (0.02%). This large single centre study demonstrated a full range of gallbladder disease from cholecystectomy specimens, including more than 1% neoplastic histology and two cases of macroscopically occult gallbladder malignancies.

CONCLUSION

Routine histological evaluation of all elective and emergency cholecystectomies is justified in a United Kingdom population as selective analysis has potential to miss potentially curable life threatening pathology.

Evidence based management of polyps of the gall bladder: A systematic review of the risk factors of malignancy

BACKGROUND

There are no evidence-based guidelines to dictate when Gallbladder Polyps (GBPs) of varying sizes should be resected.

AIM

To identify factors that accurately predict malignant disease in GBP; to provide an evidence-based algorithm for management.

METHODS

A systematic review following PRISMA guidelines was performed using terms "gallbladder polyps" AND "polypoid lesion of gallbladder", from January 1993 and September 2013. Inclusion criteria required histopathological report or follow-up of 2 years. RTI-IB tool was used for quality analysis. Correlation with GBP size and malignant potential was analysed using Euclidean distance; a logistics mixed effects model was used for assessing independent risk factors for malignancy.

RESULTS

Fifty-three articles were included in review. Data from 21 studies was pooled for analysis. Optimum size cut-off for resection of GBPs was 10 mm. Probability of malignancy is approximately zero at size <4.15 mm. Patient age >50 years, sessile and single polyps were independent risk factors for malignancy. For polyps sized 4 mm-10 mm, a risk assessment model was formulated.

CONCLUSIONS

This review and analysis has provided an evidence-based algorithm for the management of GBPs. Longitudinal studies are needed to better understand the behaviour of polyps <10 mm, that are not at a high risk of malignancy, but may change over time.

Malignant transformation of a 5-mm gallbladder polyp over 2 years: a case report and review of current literature

Gallbladder polyps (GBPs) are incidentally seen in 4% to 7% of adults on abdominal ultrasounds. Most GBPs are benign cholesterol polyps, adenomyomatosis, or inflammatory polyps. Currently, cholecystectomy is widely accepted as appropriate care for polyps 10 mm or larger as they present a higher risk for malignancy. However, the management of small polyps smaller than 10 mm has continued to be a dilemma to clinicians and radiologists. Many authors support a nonoperative approach with imaging follow-up for polyps smaller than 10 mm, as most have been shown to be benign. However, small polyps do have the potential to be neoplastic adenomas and become malignant. In this report, we will describe a case of a tiny GBP that subsequently developed into a 20-mm carcinoma over a period of 2 years.

Polypoid lesions of the gallbladder: report of 160 cases with special reference to diagnosis and treatment in China

BACKGROUND

The preoperative diagnosis of gallbladder polypoid lesions is difficult, justifying the lack of consensus on the appropriate treatment.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to identify the characteristics of each type of polypoid lesion of the gallbladder and the indications for surgery.

METHODS

Between January 1999 and December 2012, clinical data were retrospectively correlated with the histopathologic characteristics of polypoid lesions in 160 patients who underwent cholecystectomy.

RESULTS

A total of 160 patients with benign polypoid lesions (including 49 tumor-like lesions and 75 adenomas) and 14 patients with malignant polypoid lesions (including 2 adenocarcinomas and 12 adenomas with malignant changes) were included in this study. One hundred and five (65.6%) of the patients had associated symptoms, and 70 (43.8%) had gallstones. Of the 49 patients with tumor-like lesions, 49 (100%) were correlated with chronic cholecystitis. A total of 72 (83.8%) patients with neoplasms had a single polyp compared with 25 (59.5%) of those with non-neoplastic polyps. The mean age of the patients with malignancy was 59.07 ± 13.465 years, and 12 (85.7%) of these patients were over 50 years of age. The mean diameters of the benign and malignant polyps were 1.0 ± 0.77 cm and 2.15 ± 1.16 cm, respectively. Ten (100%) of the patients with malignancy had polyps of over 1 cm in size, as shown by ultrasound.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicate that tumor-like lesions, adenomas, and adenocarcinomas are the most common polypoid lesions of the gallbladder. Cholecystecomy should be done in patients with symptoms. The risk of malignancy is high in patients over 50 years of age; those with polyps with diameters of greater than 10 mm; and those with single polypoid lesions. The remainder of PLG patients without cholecystectomy should be followed up at regular intervals.

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy: consensus conference-based guidelines

INTRODUCTION

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) is the gold standard technique for gallbladder diseases in both acute and elective surgery. Nevertheless, reports from national surveys still seem to represent some doubts regarding its diffusion. There is neither a wide consensus on its indications nor on its possible related morbidity. On the other hand, more than 25 years have passed since the introduction of LC, and we have all witnessed the exponential growth of knowledge, skill and technology that has followed it. In 1995, the EAES published its consensus statement on laparoscopic cholecystectomy in which seven main questions were answered, according to the available evidence. During the following 20 years, there have been several additional guidelines on LC, mainly focused on some particular aspect, such as emergency or concomitant biliary tract surgery.

METHODS

In 2012, several Italian surgical societies decided to revisit the clinical recommendations for the role of laparoscopy in the treatment of gallbladder diseases in adults, to update and supplement the existing guidelines with recommendations that reflect what is known and what constitutes good practice concerning LC.

Primary gallbladder lymphoma presenting as a polyp

We present an unusual case of a 75-year-old woman, with no significant medical history, presenting with ongoing weight loss and change in bowel habit. Her physical examination and initial blood tests were all normal, and, therefore, radiographic imaging was undertaken. Ultrasound and CT of the abdomen confirmed a gallbladder polyp and a laparoscopic cholecystectomy was subsequently performed. Histological analysis confirmed primary gallbladder lymphoma. This case report is the first to present gallbladder lymphoma presenting as a polyp. The authors discuss the incidence, presentation and management of gallbladder lymphoma.

The diagnostic accuracy of transabdominal ultrasonography needs to be considered when managing gallbladder polyps

BACKGROUND

Transabdominal ultrasonography (TAUS) is the most commonly used modality to diagnose gallbladder (GB) disease. GB polyps are reported in 1-5.6 % of TAUS studies. Histopathologic studies suggest that there is a relationship between GB polyps and GB cancer. Previous literature suggests GB polyps reported on TAUS do not correlate well with histological findings. There have been recent advances in TAUS technology. We hypothesize the recent advances in TAUS technology have improved the accuracy of TAUS for diagnosing GB polyps.

METHODS

Radiology and pathology databases at our tertiary care center were retrospectively searched between January 1, 2000, and December 31, 2010. Ultrasound reports that suggested a GB polyp was present on TAUS were correlated to histopathology in cases where a cholecystectomy was performed. The pathology reports where a GB polyp was found were correlated with preoperative TAUS reports.

RESULTS

There were 102,740 TAUS reports referring to the GB, of which 6,612 (6.4 %) contained search terms suggesting a GB polyp was present. There were 13,278 cholecystectomy pathology reports, of which 159 (1.2 %) included a diagnosis of GB polyp. TAUS detected only 50 % of the polyps identified on histopathology. The sensitivity and specificity of TAUS for diagnosing GB polyps were 50.0 and 98.3 %, respectively. The positive and negative predictive values were 10.5 and 99.8 %.

CONCLUSIONS

Despite improvement in TAUS technology, the accuracy for GB polyps remains poor. This needs to be considered when managing patients with TAUS-detected GB polyps. We recommend that the decision to operate on TAUS-detected GB polyps be largely based on symptoms, and following GB polyps with TAUS should be discouraged.