Gallbladder disease

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Digestive system

Gallbladder

Gallbladder anatomy

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Gallbladder disease

Alternative Names:

Biliary disease; Gallbladder attack; Biliary colic

Symptoms:

Abdominal fullness or gas
Abdominal pain that is:
- Severe
- Located on the right side (right upper quadrant) or in the upper middle of the abdomen (epigastric)
- Decreased over 12 to 18 hours in uncomplicated cases
- Recurrent or similar to pain in past
- Occuring after meals
- Worse during deep intake of breath
- Radiating to back or below the right shoulder blade
- Worse after eating or drinking fatty foods or fluids
Fever
Nausea and vomiting
Heartburn
Chills and shaking
Chest pain under the breastbone

Signs and tests:

Examination of the abdomen by touch (palpation) may reveal tenderness.

Tests that detect the presence of gallstones or inflammation include:

Abdominal ultrasound
Abdominal CT scan
Abdominal x-ray
Gall bladder radionuclide scan
A CBC shows infection by an elevated white blood cell count

This disease may also alter the results of the following tests:

Lipase
Amylase
Amylase, urine
Chemistry panel (chem-20)

Review Date: 5/4/2006
Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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