Gallbladder polyp

[ByLovingGuide]

Hi has anyone had a 3.1mm gallbladder polyp?
I went for a scan for my liver because I had oc in my pregnancy and my levels were are still raised. My liver is fine they found incidentally a polyp that’s 3.1mm and want to keep an eye on it. Want to scan me 3 more times every 6 months. I’m feeling very anxious anyone been in my position and how did it turn out for you?

Anyone?

Sorry I can’t be of much help, but my neighbour ( who is mid 20’s) has just had his Gall Bladder removed due to Polyps. That was the first time I’d heard of them being in a Gall Bladder

Not a gallbladder polyp, but I have a cyst on my pancreas which was discovered when I had an MRI for something else. They scanned me annually for a while as it was below the size which required any action. After a few years of there being no change I have now been told it will be 2 years before the next MRI Hope this will be of help

Yes, I have a polyp and some sludge in my gallbladder. Discovered 2020. Been scanned 3x and no change in size of polyp so they didn't think it was a problem.
However I've had some more issues recently which I think are related to my gallbladder so I'm going back to the doctors.
Not sure whether that is helpful or not!

Thanks for your response it’s so scary. I just worry if it grows etc

How big was yours?

My DD is a nurse who has experience in this field and assures me that they wouldn't have extended the time between scans (from 1 year to 2 years) without a meeting (MDT) and the team being happy that there was unlikely to be any future change on the basis that there had been no change over a number of years. Hopefully they are right 🤞
But yes it is scary I agree

I have 2 gallbladder polyps that were diagnosed 14-15 years ago. From what I understand they don't do anything until the polyps grow over 1cm so I have yearly ultrasound scans to have them measured.

How big was your polyp? And I’m hoping they are right because I have 3 more scans and then will be discharged if no changes.

Have you had an ultrasound every year now so far 15 years?

"How big was yours?"

Sorry I can't remember. They thought it was the source of the pain in my gallbladder (something catching on it). I've gone 4 + years without any trouble.
I've got a GP appointment in 10 days - I'll check.

You don't need your gallbladder, I'd just push to get it removed entirely, or if you have private health care just go down that route.

I did ask the gp if they can remove the polyp but they said they would have to remove the whole gallbladder. I said can I get it removed and she said no it’s unnecessary right now. Unless it grows.

Ok 👍

Hi O P
I think it's good they are keeping a close eye on you and regular scans in the future
Obviously any changes or you develop any new symptons the medical team will be right on it
Hope all goes well for you and you don't worry too much about it
X

I had them regularly for a few years then they stopped recalling me for some reason, but had them again for the last couple of years and no real change. These are the notes on the NHS app from my last scan:

Within the gallbladder there are at least two hyperechoic foci measuring
approximately 4mm and 7mm, appearances are in keeping with the
previously reported gallbladder polyps. Please repeat the scan in 12
months to check for increase in size. No obvious gallstones
visualised.

Oh ok how did you get a scan for your gallbladder was you getting symptoms?

I had a bit of pain under my ribs on my right size so asked about a scan and they've put me back on annual ultrasounds.

I had a polyp found on a scan during covid that was meant to be followed up but of course nothing happened. Another US last year showed no polyp but a gallbladder full of stones. I asked the surgeon (pre-op thing) about the mysterious polyp & he said these things get misdiagnosed if there is sludge in there. They look for a shadow (?) or clearance beneath the Thing & that can determine between stones & polyps but sludge can prevent that from happening accurately on an US.

So either you've a small polyp which they'll watch & whip out the whole thing before it's an issue, or you've got a stone and sludge which they might whip out if it becomes an issue.

I guess, if you can pay, then private might just whip out anyway? Not actually sure.

How did they know it’s a hyperechoic polyp?

No idea, just copied/pasted what it says in the notes on the nhs app following my last ultrasound.

Did they say that your polyp was harmless? It’s just I wish I could somehow know if mine is?
do you know how I could or anywhere that can do that.
it’s horrible to know you have to be scanned for a period of time it’s the unknown for me that is bugging me.

Gallbladder polyps are very common and rarely need anything doing. If less than 5mm, we only do follow up scans if you have other risk factors (age, ethnicity etc) then you get 3 scans and then discharged if no growth. Generally we offer surgery if over 1cm. Your gallbladder is a useful organ, don't have it removed unnecessarily. If I was in your position I would not be at all concerned, try not to worry!

If you're interested then these are the guidelines we use (just look at the chart Figure 1)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34918177/

awww ok. Hope everything is ok for you. What symptoms are you getting?