Can gallbladder polyps cause pain in the upper right abdomen

Gallbladder polyps may cause pain in the upper right abdomen, but in most cases, they do not cause significant symptoms. Gallbladder polyps are protruding lesions of the gallbladder wall into the cavity, usually caused by cholesterol deposition, inflammatory stimulation, or adenomyosis. The occurrence of upper right abdominal pain in patients with gallbladder polyps is usually related to the size, location, or complications of the polyps. Small polyps generally do not directly compress surrounding tissues or block bile ducts, and patients may only experience mild bloating or postprandial discomfort. When the diameter of polyps exceeds 10 millimeters or grows in the neck of the gallbladder, it may affect bile excretion and cause biliary colic like pain, which is often paroxysmal and can radiate to the right shoulder and back. When combined with cholecystitis or gallstones, pain may be accompanied by symptoms such as fever, nausea, and vomiting. In rare cases, gallbladder polyps may induce acute complications leading to severe pain. Twisting of the polyp pedicle can cause ischemic necrosis of the gallbladder, manifested as worsening right upper abdominal colic. The shedding and entrapment of polyps in the common bile duct may lead to obstructive jaundice and biliary pancreatitis. When malignant polyps infiltrate surrounding tissues, the pain progressively worsens and becomes significant at night. These situations need to be diagnosed through imaging examinations such as ultrasound and CT.

It is recommended that patients with gallbladder polyps regularly undergo abdominal ultrasound to observe the growth rate of polyps. Maintain a low-fat diet in daily life, avoid overeating, and control the intake of animal organs and fried foods. When there are persistent upper right abdominal pain, yellow staining of the skin and sclera, and clay like stool, it is necessary to seek medical attention in a timely manner. Polyps with a diameter exceeding 10 millimeters, a wide base, and abundant blood flow should be considered for surgical resection to prevent the risk of cancer.