A gallbladder ultrasound is noninvasive and painless.
It is performed after the person has fasted (stopped eating) for up to 12 hours.
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Reasons Providers Order a Gallbladder Ultrasound
Gallbladder conditionsare common.
RAJAAISYA/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Image
Anultrasoundis a noninvasive way to get a picture of what’s going on inside the gallbladder.
An ultrasound of thegallbladdermight be done when there is unexplained abdominal pain.
Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen can be a clue that the gallbladder is involved.
When they occur, there could be many, or there could be just one.
They might also range in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball.
An ultrasound could help find gallstones.
Bile duct obstruction:A blockage in the gallbladder ducts could cause symptoms that lead to having an ultrasound.
The blockage could be due to gallstones.
Less commonly, a tumor or a polyp could block a duct.
Inflammation could also cause the bile ducts to narrow and lead to an obstruction.
Seeing blood in the gallbladder could indicate an injury or cause of bleeding that may need treatment.
An ultrasound might also be used to monitor an already diagnosed condition, such as gallstones.
It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete the test.
It is noninvasive, and there is not much prep work needed beforehand.
No radiation is used in an ultrasound.
No sedation is used, so you’re able to drive to and from the appointment.
A fast of six to 12 hours before the scheduled time for the test is commonly requested.
This is because the gallbladdercontracts and releases bileafter a meal.
Healthcare providers want to see the gallbladder at rest on the ultrasound.
Check the instructions for the test or ask a healthcare provider for the details on fasting.
It may also be necessary to complete a questionnaire with information about personal and family medical history.
Wear loose, comfortable clothing on the day of the test.
Remove any jewelry, especially anything on the abdomen.
You will lie down on a table for the test.
A handheld rig called a transducer is used for the scan.
It may be necessary to adjust positions slightly to get the needed images.
The technician performing the test may not be able to provide any information on the results.
The images will go to a specialist who can interpret them.
After the test, it’s possible for you to go home and resume your normal activities.
Gallstones absorb the ultrasound waves so they become visible.
Gallbladder sludge may also be seen on ultrasound.
The distention could be due to a buildup of normal fluid blocked by a gallstone.
The appearance can aid in determining the cause.
Wall changes could happen with:
Polyps: Polyps (abnormal growths) can also be seen on ultrasound.
Polyps in the gallbladder can be benign, due to inflammation, or (rarely) cancerous.
Polyps vs. Gallstones
An ultrasound is highlysensitive and specificfor gallbladder polyps.
That means that false negatives (a polyp exists but is not seen) are less likely.
However, small gallstones (less than 5 mm) could be mistaken for a polyp.
Polyps are fixed to the wall of the gallbladder.
Gallstones are mobile (they can move around).
People can have both gallstones and polyps.
This may include a message in the patient electronic portal, a phone call, and/or an office meeting.
A repeat ultrasound or more imaging tests may be needed to rule in or rule out any abnormalities.
Blood tests may also be ordered before or after the ultrasound.
Summary
Gallbladder problems are common and may cause symptoms such as abdominal pain after eating.
An abdominal ultrasound can help create images of the gallbladder and other organs in the area.
Many types of conditions that affect the gallbladder can be seen on an ultrasound.
The test itself is fairly simple and painless.
The prep for the ultrasound includes not eating overnight or for several hours before the test.
There are no restrictions on activity once the test is over.
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