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Digestive Disorders

Are there new gall bladder tests

03/13/2008

Question:

Hello, For the past 20 years, I`ve had what I think is a gall bladder problem. It used to occur only once or twice a year (for about 15 years), but now it occurs more often, and becoming more frequent (about once a month now). Symptoms are fullness & bloating below rib cage, usually on the right side. Dull to moderate pain sometimes radiating to the back. Pain usually occurs in the evening or at night and takes about 6-10 hours to subside. During these episodes, I don`t feel any gurgling or movement in my intestinal system- almost as if things have stopped working. As the pain subsides, I get growling and gas. Years ago, I had upper GI, lower GI, "tube down the throat" - sorry I don`t remember the name of that one. Also had some sort of blood test while in the midst on an attack. I guess I was embarrased to keep going to doctors, ER, specialist and them not finding something, so for the past 10 years I`ve just gritted my teeth and lived through the episodes when they occur. But now the episodes are becoming much more frequent, so I wonder if there are newer tests that might locate stones, sand, etc., where they were elusive before........ Do you have any ideas for me? Thank you

Answer:

It sounds like you need a right upper quadrant ultrasound. If that is negative another x-ray called a hida scan (hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid scan) might help.

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Response by:

Annette Kyprianou, MD Annette Kyprianou, MD
Senior Clinical Instructor of Medicine
School of Medicine
Case Western Reserve University