Ultrasound in a 52-year-old man during a health check identifies a solitary 13 mm pedunculated gallbladder polyp. He is otherwise well with no symptoms. What is the recommended management?

• A Laparoscopic cholecystectomy ✓
• B Annual endoscopic ultrasound surveillance indefinitely
• C Reassure and repeat ultrasound in 5 years
• D Percutaneous fine needle aspiration cytology of the polyp

Explanation

Polyp size drives management because malignant potential rises sharply above 10 mm. C gallbladder polyp of 13 mm exceeds this threshold, and cholecystectomy is recommended regardless of symptoms. Polyps under 6 mm in a patient without risk factors can be safely watched, and 6 to 9 mm warrants periodic follow-up rather than immediate surgery. Percutaneous biopsy of the gallbladder risks seeding and is not practiced for polyp assessment.

Reference: Sabiston Textbook of Surgery, 21st ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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