Clin Ultrasound.  2021 May;6(1):11-16. 10.18525/cu.2021.6.1.11.

The Role of Endoscopic Ultrasonography in the Differential Diagnosis of Polypoid Lesions of the Gallbladder: an Update

• Cheon YK

• KMID: 2555128
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.18525/cu.2021.6.1.11

Abstract

Although most gallbladder (GB) polyps are benign, some early carcinomas of the GB share the same appearance as benign polyps. Currently, GB polyps larger than 1 cm should be surgically removed because of the increased risk of malignancy. Distinguishing between nonneoplastic and neoplastic lesions is are a major diagnostic dilemma, and the therapeutic options for these lesions remain controversial. Endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) is considered to be superior to the conventional US for imaging GB lesions since EUS can provide high-resolution images of small lesions with higher ultrasound frequencies. However, differential diagnosis remains difficult, especially for small GB polyps. Thus, various diagnostic methods using EUS have been introduced to overcome the difficulty of differential diagnosis between neoplastic and non-neoplastic polyps. Contrast-enhanced harmonic EUS is useful for observing microvascular patterns and additional enhancement images of GB polyps. This requires a post-recording analysis due to a short enhancement time. Real-time color Doppler-EUS provides the Doppler flow of vessels without a time limit.

Keyword

담낭용종; 내시경 초음파; Gallbladder, polyp; Endoscopic ultrasonography