Contrast-enhanced ultrasound may distinguish gallbladder adenoma from cholesterol polyps: a prospective case-control study

The aim of this study was to find the independent risk factors related with gallbladder (GB) adenoma compared to cholesterol polyp by contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS). Between January 2010 and September 2014, a total of 122 consecutive patients undergoing cholecystectomy for GB polypoid lesions were enrolled. Before cholecystectomy, each patient underwent conventional US and CEUS examination and all image features were documented. The patients were divided into adenoma group and cholesterol polyp group according to the pathological findings. All the image features between two groups were statistically compared. There were differences in patient age, lesion size, echogenicity, and vascularity of lesion between two groups (P < 0.05). There were differences in stalk width and enhancement intensity between the two groups (P < 0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis proved that enhancement intensity, stalk of lesion, and vascularity were the independent risk factors related with GB adenoma (P < 0.05). CEUS could offer useful information to distinguish adenoma from cholesterol polyp. The treatment algorithm for gallbladder polyp lesions would likely benefit from CEUS as a routine imaging investigation, especially in cases where the polyp is larger than 1 cm.