Guide To Diagnosing And Treating Gallstones

Abdominal Ultrasound

An individual who is suspected to be affected by gallstones may need to undergo a diagnostic procedure referred to as an abdominal ultrasound to confirm or eliminate possible causes of their symptoms. An abdominal ultrasound is a procedure that uses a special wand or transducer on the skin of the abdomen to send sound waves through the tissues that deflect back and form an image on a monitor. Although abdominal ultrasound is most often associated with pregnancy and monitoring of pregnancy, it can also be used to diagnose other conditions like gallstones. An abdominal ultrasound does not require the use of medication for sedation, is painless, and does not use any form of radiation. An abdominal ultrasound can be used to distinguish gallbladder cancer, gallbladder polyps, porcelain gallbladder, gallbladder perforation, and cholecystitis from stones in the gallbladder. Because an abdominal ultrasound does not require the same preparation, sedation, and expertise as endoscopic ultrasound, it is used more often in patients who have symptoms of an unclear condition that may or may not involve their gallbladder.

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