Ultrasonography of gallstones
Author:
Mikael Häggström [notes 1]
Contents
Planning
Choice of modality
- Ultrasonography of gallstones is the investigation of choice. In suspected cholecystitis such as severe and constant pain, see Ultrasonography of cholecystitis.
How soon
- Within a couple of hours if atypical symptoms (which may indicate a more serious disease of the biliary tract or abdomen), or if pain does not subside on analgesics.
- Otherwise, generally 4-8 weeks in Swedish practice.[1]
Evaluation
Gallstones are seen as hyperechoic objects, that leave an acoustic shadow. In case of similarity to a polyp (Ultrasonography of gallbladder polyps), turn the patient, making gallstones changing position, while polyps remain in the same place.
Also exclude signs of cholecystitis, mainly pericholecystic fluid, gallbladder wall thickening, dilation of the bile duct, and a sonographic Murphy's sign. Further information: Ultrasonography of cholecystitis.
It is also proper practice to perform a general upper abdominal screening.
Notes
- ↑ For a full list of contributors, see article history. Creators of images are attributed at the image description pages, seen by clicking on the images. See Radlines:Authorship for details.
References
- ↑ NU Hospital Group, Sweden
