Description Gallstones enter th...
Description
Gallstones enter the bile ducts and block the passage of bile. The gallbladder is located in the right upper abdomen and stores bile pigments that are secreted by the liver and ultimately meant to be released into the gastrointestinal tract. Gallstones are found most commonly in the gallbladder, but can also be found in the bile ducts of the liver. Although both sexes are affected, women are affected more often with 20% of those over 40 having gallstones.
Symptoms
Abdominal pain (right upper abdomen), vomiting, fever, yellowing eyes or skin.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Abdominal ultrasound is the most common method used to make the diagnosis. Gallstones can also be seen with CT scan and MRI. Lab tests are also done to identify any liver or pancreas injury.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Lipase, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Ultrasound
Other Specific Tests: HIDA scan
Specialists:
General Surgery, Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, Family Practice
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Abdominal ultrasound is the most common method used to make the diagnosis. Gallstones can also be seen with CT scan and MRI. Lab tests are also done to identify any liver or pancreas injury.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Lipase, Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), Ultrasound
Other Specific Tests: HIDA scan
Specialists:
General Surgery, Gastroenterology, Internal Medicine, Family Practice
Treatment
No treatment may be recommended if the stones are not causing symptoms. If the stones cause pain or problems in the liver or pancreas the gallbladder needs to be surgically removed.