Why gallbladder stones

A CT scan shows detailed images of any part of the body, including the bones, muscles, fat, and organs. CT scans are more detailed than general X-rays. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography ERCP.

A procedure that involves inserting an endoscope viewing tube through the stomach and into the small intestine. A special dye injected during this procedure shows the ducts in the biliary system. Opening the muscle sphincter, a ring of muscle around a natural opening that acts like a valve, wide enough so stones can pass into the intestine.

If the gallstones cause no symptoms, treatment is usually not necessary. However, if pain persists, treatment may include:. Gallbladder removal cholecystectomy. Once removed, the bile flows directly from the liver to the small intestine. Side effects of this may include diarrhea because the bile is no longer stored in the gallbladder.

Oral dissolution therapy. Drugs made from bile acid are used to dissolve the stones. Methyl-tert-butyl ether. A solution injected into the gallbladder to dissolve stones. Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy ESWL. A procedure that uses shock waves to break stones up into tiny pieces that can pass through the bile ducts without causing blockages. Contact dissolution therapy.

An experimental procedure that involves injecting a drug directly into the gallbladder to dissolve the stones. Health Home Conditions and Diseases. What causes gallstones? What are the symptoms of gallstones?

Symptoms may include: Steady, severe pain in the upper abdomen that increases rapidly and may last from 30 minutes to several hours Pain in the back between the shoulder blades Pain in the right shoulder Nausea Vomiting Fever Chills Jaundice. The bile is stored in the gallbladder and, over time, becomes more concentrated, which makes it better at digesting fats.

The gallbladder releases bile into the digestive system when it's needed. Gallstones are thought to develop because of an imbalance in the chemical make-up of bile inside the gallbladder. In most cases the levels of cholesterol in bile become too high and the excess cholesterol forms into stones.

Gallstones are very common. It's estimated more than 1 in every 10 adults in the UK has gallstones, although only a minority of people develop symptoms. In these cases, keyhole surgery to remove the gallbladder may be recommended. This procedure, known as a laparoscopic cholecystectomy , is relatively simple to perform and has a low risk of complications. Gallstones that do not cause symptoms are called silent gallstones. These symptoms may be signs of a serious infection or inflammation of the gallbladder, liver, or pancreas.

Gallstone symptoms may be similar to symptoms of other conditions, such as appendicitis , ulcers , pancreatitis , and gastroesophageal reflux disease , all of which should be treated by a doctor as soon as possible. Gallstone complications can occur if your bile ducts stay blocked.

Left untreated, blockages of the bile ducts or pancreatic duct can be fatal. Gallstones may form if bile contains too much cholesterol , too much bilirubin , or not enough bile salts. Researchers do not fully understand why these changes in bile occur.