The purposed of the gallbladder is to store bile secreted by the liver. That bile breaks down fats in the foods you eat and helps digestion. Usually, bile moves smoothly from the gallbladder into the rest of your digestive system. However, if gallstones have formed, the stones can block the release of bile. There are two types of gallstones: cholesterol and pigment stones and they vary in number and size. Some people have gallstones with no pain while others irritate the gallbladder and, in some cases, can cause serious problems. The body can function without a gallbladder.
What tests help diagnose gallbladder disease?
Most gallstones are discovered as patients are undergoing imaging for other problems or when severe pain sends them to the doctor. Some tools used to diagnose gallbladder disease are:
Ultrasound: Sound waves are used to create images of the organs.
CT Scan: Computed tomography is minimally invasive and is also useful in diagnosing cancer in the liver and pancreas.
Cholescintigraphy: This is sometimes referred to as the HIDA scan and is performed by nuclear medicine physicians.
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