Differential Diagnosis for Gallbladder Polyp

• Single most likely diagnosis
  • Gallbladder polyp (most likely a cholesterol polyp): This is the most likely diagnosis given the ultrasound findings of a focal prominence from the wall into the lumen, which is consistent with a polyp. The size of 0.64 cm is also within the range for a benign polyp.
• Other Likely diagnoses
  • Adenomatous polyp: Although less common than cholesterol polyps, adenomatous polyps are another type of benign polyp that could present similarly on ultrasound.
  • Inflammatory polyp: This type of polyp can occur in response to chronic inflammation and could be considered given the absence of other findings suggestive of malignancy.
  • Hyperplastic polyp: These are benign growths that can occur in the gallbladder and might appear similar to other types of polyps on ultrasound.
• Do Not Miss (ddxs that may not be likely, but would be deadly if missed)
  • Gallbladder cancer: Although the ultrasound characteristics do not strongly suggest malignancy, gallbladder cancer can occasionally present as a polypoid lesion. Given the potential severity of this diagnosis, it is crucial to consider and potentially rule out with further evaluation or follow-up.
• Rare diagnoses
  • Metastatic disease to the gallbladder: Rarely, metastases from other cancers can involve the gallbladder and present as polypoid lesions.
  • Gallbladder leiomyoma: A rare, benign tumor of smooth muscle origin that could potentially appear as a polyp on ultrasound.
  • Other rare tumors (e.g., granular cell tumor, neurofibroma): These are exceedingly rare and would be unusual presentations, but they could be considered in the differential diagnosis of a gallbladder polyp.