Gallstones

Diagnosis

The following tests and techniques are used to identify gallstones and their complications:

• Abdominal ultrasound. A test most commonly used to detect signs of gallstones. A transducer is moved back and forth across your stomach area during abdominal ultrasonography. The computer uses the signals sent by the transducer to produce images of the organs in your abdomen.
• Endoscopic ultrasound (EUS). Smaller stones that might be missed on an abdominal ultrasound can be found using this method. A small, flexible tube called an endoscope is passed through your mouth and digestive tract by your doctor during an EUS. A tiny ultrasound transducer inside the tube emits sound waves that precisely depict the tissue nearby.
• Other imaging tests. Oral cholecystography, a Hepatobiliary Iminodiacetic Acid (HIDA) scan, Computer Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Cholangiopancreatography (MRCP), or Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) are examples of additional procedures that may be performed. When gallstones are found via ERCP, they can be removed.
• Blood tests. Blood testing can detect infections, jaundice, pancreatitis, and other gallstone-related problems.

Treatment

Most people with gallstones who do not exhibit any symptoms will not ever require medical attention. Your symptoms and the findings of any diagnostic testing will be used by your doctor to decide if treatment for gallstones is necessary.

Your doctor might advise you to keep an eye out for signs of gallstone problems, such as a worsening upper right abdominal ache. In the future, if symptoms and signs of gallstones appear, you can receive treatment.

There are several ways to treat gallstones:

• Cholecystectomy. Given that gallstones usually recur, your doctor may advise having your gallbladder surgically removed. After your gallbladder is removed, bile no longer needs to be stored in your gallbladder and instead flows directly from your liver into your small intestine.

Gallbladder removal doesn’t damage your ability to digest food and doesn’t affect your ability to survive, although it can induce diarrhea, which is typically only temporary.

• Medications to dissolve gallstones. Gallstones may be dissolved with the aid of oral medications. However, it can take months or years of treatment to completely eliminate your gallstones in this manner, and if treatment is discontinued, new gallstones would probably grow.

Medication sometimes fails to work and therefore gallstone medications aren’t frequently prescribed and are only used for those who are unable to have surgery.