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- Abdominal tenderness in the right-upper quadrant of the abdomen.
- Jaundice may be present if there is blockage of the bile duct.
Testing is usually required to confirm the diagnosis of gallstones.
Tests that may be used to evaluate gallstones include:
- Serum amylase
- Serum lipase
- Serum bilirubin
- Complete blood count
- Liver profile
- Kidney profile
- Blood cultures
Gallbladder imaging tests that may be used to evaluate gallstones include:
- Abdominal x-rays
- Ultrasound of the abdomen
- CT scanning of the abdomen
- MRI scan of the abdomen
- Nuclear scanning of the gallbladder (HIDA scan)
- Offers the additional benefit of allowing for the removal of gallstones from the common bile duct thus avoiding the need for emergency surgery.
Continue to Gallstones Treatment
PubMed Gallstones References
- Ahmed A, Cheung RC, Keeffe EB. Management of gallstones and their complications. Am Fam Physician. 2000 Mar 15;61(6):1673-80, 1687-8. 
- Bartlett DL. Gallbladder cancer. Semin Surg Oncol. 2000 Sep-Oct;19(2):145-55. 
- Cirillo DJ, Wallace RB, Rodabough RJ, Greenland P, LaCroix AZ, Limacher MC, Larson JC. Effect of estrogen therapy on gallbladder disease. JAMA. 2005 Jan 19;293(3):330-9. 
- Fernandez M, Csendes A, Yarmuch J, Diaz H, Silva J. Management of common bile duct stones: the state of the art in 2000. Int Surg. 2003 Jul-Sep;88(3):159-63. 
- Glasgow RE, Cho M, Hutter MM, Mulvihill SJ. The spectrum and cost of complicated gallstone disease in California. Arch Surg. 2000 Sep;135(9):1021-5; discussion 1025-7. 
- Majeski J. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy in geriatric patients. Am J Surg. 2004 Jun;187(6):747-50.