Diagnostic Tests for Gallstones
Gallstones: Diagnostic Tests
The list of diagnostic tests
mentioned in various sources as
used in the diagnosis of Gallstones
includes:
Gallstones Tests: Book Excerpts
Gallstones Diagnosis: Book Excerpts
Tests and diagnosis discussion for Gallstones:
Many gallstones, especially silent stones, are
discovered by accident during tests for other problems. But when
gallstones are suspected to be the cause of symptoms, the doctor is likely
to do an ultrasound exam. Ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of
organs. Sound waves are sent toward the gallbladder through a handheld
device that a technician glides over the abdomen. The sound waves bounce
off the gallbladder, liver, and other organs, and their echoes make
electrical impulses that create a picture of the organ on a video monitor.
If stones are present, the sound waves will bounce off them, too, showing
their location.
Other tests used in diagnosis include
- Cholecystogram or cholescintigraphy. The patient is injected
with a special iodine dye, and x-rays are taken of the gallbladder over
a period of time. (Some people swallow iodine pills the night before the
x-ray.) The test shows the movement of the gallbladder and any
obstruction of the cystic duct.
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). The
patient swallows an endoscope—a long, flexible, lighted tube connected
to a computer and TV monitor. The doctor guides the endoscope through
the stomach and into the small intestine. The doctor then injects a
special dye that temporarily stains the ducts in the biliary system.
ERCP is used to locate stones in the ducts.
- Blood tests. Blood tests may be used to look for signs of
infection, obstruction, pancreatitis, or jaundice.
Gallstone symptoms are similar to those of heart attack, appendicitis,
ulcers, irritable bowel syndrome, hiatal hernia, pancreatitis, and
hepatitis. So accurate diagnosis is important.
(Source: excerpt from Gallstones: NIDDK)
Diagnosis of Gallstones: medical news summaries:
The following medical news items
are relevant to diagnosis of Gallstones:
Diagnostic Tests for Gallstones: Online Medical Books
16 MEDICAL BOOKS ONLINE!
Review excerpts from medical books online, free, without registration,
for more information about the diagnostic tests for Gallstones.
DROP ATTACKS:
DIAGNOSTIC WORKUP
(Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs)
Basic studies for the workup of drop attacks are CBC, sedimentation rate, chemistry panel, VDRL test, chest x-ray, and EKG. These will help identify anemia, hypoglycemia, and cardiovascular diseases. An EEG should also be done to rule out epilepsy. If there are focal neurologic signs, a CT scan or MRI should be done. Remember, the MRI is double the cost and the diagnostic yield is only slightly higher. A neurologist should be consulted to help decide which study is appropriate. A 5-hr glucose tolerance test can be done to help diagnose hypoglycemia. Four-vessel angiography is necessary to diagnose vertebral basilar disease. Holter monitoring will be useful to diagnose complete heart block and other cardiac arrhythmias. If the chest x-ray or EKG has revealed possible cardiac findings, a referral to a cardiologist would be wise.
» READ BOOK EXCERPT ONLINE »
Source: Algorithmic Diagnosis of Symptoms and Signs, 2003
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