Gallstones typically are composed of cholesterol or excess bile from the liver. They are the primary cause of most types of gallbladder disease. Patients with gallstones usually are not aware of the gallstones' existence. A patients does not become symptomatic unless the stones become lodged in a bile duct, blocking the flow of bile from the liver through the gallbladder and into the small intestine.
Physical Examination
Gallstones cause pain and sensitivity in the upper right portion of the abdomen. A physical exam includes the doctor applying pressure to the abdominal area.
Blood Tests
Specific blood tests may be ordered to detect signs of infection, obstruction, jaundice or other complications caused by gallstones. Tests for blood count, liver function and pancreatitis helps your medical provider evaluate the symptoms to determine the exact cause of the gallstones.
Abdominal Ultrasound
An abdominal ultrasound is the least invasive and most readily available diagnostic tool for the detection of gallstones. Sound waves are sent via a wand into the body, where the waves bounce off of any hard objects, returning images of the internal organs and any other objects present. This type of test is 95 percent effective in diagnosing the presence of gallstones in the gallbladder and may also help to diagnose similar conditions, such as inflammation infections or tumors of the gallbladder or surrounding organs. However, if a stone has passed into a bile duct, it will not be detected.
CT Scan
A computerized tomography (CT) scan is similar to an ultrasound, using noninvasive x-ray technology rather than sound waves. The x-rays bounce off tissue and bones to provide cross-section images of organs and other internal objects. This type of scan is used to help diagnose infection and rupture of the gallbladder or bile ducts, cancer in the liver or pancreas, and is an effective tool for diagnosing the severity of pancreatitis. It is not, however, as effective as an abdominal ultrasound for correctly diagnosing gallstones.
Hepatobiliary Scan
A hepatobiliary (HIDA) scan is a more invasive test in which radioactive tracer dye is injected into a vein, travels to the liver and is excreted into the bile that is stored in the gallbladder. A special camera takes pictures that provide information about the presence of gallstones as well as the general functionality of the gallbladder and other problems such as blocked bile ducts.
Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatogram
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatogram (ERCP) is used if your health care provider suspects the presence of a gallstone in one of the bile ducts. In this procedure, a flexible instrument called an endoscope is inserted through your mouth and throat, down the esophagus, and into the stomach, duodenum, and biliary system to examine the bile ducts attached to your liver, gallbladder and pancreas. If a stone is obstructing one of the ducts during the procedure, it can be removed with instruments that are inserted through the endoscope.
Tags: bile ducts, abdominal ultrasound, bile duct, bile from, bile from liver
