Gallstones (also called cholelithiasis) are hardened deposits that can form in the gallbladder, an organ that stores bile. Gallstones range in size from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball and can cause intense pain. Some patients develop one gallstone, while others develop many.

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While some gallstones are asymptomatic, symptoms may include:

• Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the abdomen
• Back pain between the shoulder blades
• Pain in the right shoulder
• Nausea or vomiting
• High fever
• Chills
• Jaundice (yellowish tint of skin and eyes)

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The following tests are used to diagnose gallstones and to evaluate for possible complications it may cause:

• Clinical evaluation
• Blood test: A blood test can be used to check for signs of infection and blockage in the gallbladder and to rule out other condtions
• Ultrasound: An ultrasound scan uses high frequency sound waves to create images of the inside of the body. It can be used to examine the gallbladder and bile ducts.
• CT scan: A computerized tomography (CT) scan combines a series of X-ray images taken from different angles around the body and uses computer processing to create cross-sectional images (slices) of the tissues of interest. These images can be used to check for gallstones.
• Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP): This test uses a magnetic field and pulses of radio wave energy to make pictures of the inside of your body. It can be used to examine the gallbladder and the bile ducts.
• Endoscopic ultrasound : An ultrasound scan that is pass with endoscope uses high frequency sound waves to create images from the inside of the body. It is useful to examine pancreas, the gallbladder and bile ducts.
• HIDA scan: A nuclear medicine scan that allows for the functional visualization of the passage of bile from the liver into the gallbladder and then through the bile ducts.
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP): An endoscope is inserted through the mouth into the small intestine. A dye is injected into into the bile ducts. Gallstones that have moved into the ducts can often be removed.

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While asymptomatic gallstones do not require any treatment, treatment options for gallstones include:

• Cholecystectomy (surgery to remove the gallbladder)
• Gallstone dissolving medications
• Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to remove stones from the bile ducts

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