Gallstones can be symptomatic meaning there is symptoms that
will make the providers suspect a gallstones but sometimes it can be
asymptomatic meaning that there is no symptoms that will suggest gallstones. In the case of asymptomatic, the person might have gallstones for years without know that they have it. Asymptomatic gallstones are risk because the stone can leave the gallbladder and go into the bile duct causing blockage and other complications. Some of the complications can lead to liver damage.
There is different ways gallstone can be diagnosed irrespective of
it is symptomatic or asymptomatic. Gallstone are diagnosed using the following
diagnoses.
Imaging tests used to
diagnose gallbladder problems include:
Ultrasound: is a
painless procedure in which a machine with a transducer that uses a high frequency
wave to on the abdomen to check for any stones in the gallbladder. The ultrasound can diagnose the type of stone,
size and location of the stone. Some clinician use only ultrasound to diagnose
but if for some reason the ultrasound did not show much then further diagnoses
are used.
Computed tomography
(CT) scan: This test is used to check for complicated gallstones like acute
pancreatitis in an emergency situation. CT scan involves taking different x-ray
of the abdomen to determine the site, location and organs that could be
affected.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): this type of scan is
carried out to see if there is gallstone in the bile duct.
Endoscopic retrograde
cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): this procedure is carried out to find out
more information about the gallbladder. This procedure is done with X-ray to
see if there is any blockage in the liver, bile ducts, intestines and
gallbladder. If blockage is detected the gallbladder is removed using endoscope.
In most cases of symptomatic gallstones the only diagnostic
image done is the ultrasound. The ultrasound helps the clinician to determine
what further testing or procedures is necessary based on the situation. In some
cases, laboratory values like liver enzymes test can be high due to blockage in
the liver and white blood cells can also be high due to inflammation of the
liver and other organs.
Work Cited
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NHS: choices your health, your choicehttp://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Gallstones/Pages/Diagnosis.aspx