Can I eat before a gallbladder stone examination?

Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on September 01, 2024
00:00
00:00

Before checking for gallstones, one should not eat, as the main methods of examination are through color ultrasound and CT scans, which can better lead to a diagnosis. Both color ultrasound and CT scans require fasting because eating can cause the stomach to fill, potentially resulting in artifacts that hinder the observation of the condition. Therefore, patients with gallstones need to fast before the examination. The approach to treatment depends on the presence of symptoms and the size of the stones. For large gallstones that cause recurrent episodes, early surgical treatment should be considered. Only by surgically removing the gallbladder can a definitive cure be achieved, which can significantly improve the prognosis for the patient.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Jiang Zhen Hui
Hepatobiliary Surgery
38sec home-news-image

Can ERCP remove gallbladder stones?

ERCP is currently being explored by some hospitals in China for the removal of gallstones. It involves inserting a tube through the lower part of the gallbladder to remove the gallstones. However, we generally do not recommend using ERCP for gallstone removal because if it becomes necessary to remove the stones, the gallbladder must be cut open, which can easily lead to complications such as suppurative cholecystitis. Currently, the most common method for removing gallstones is laparoscopic cholecystectomy, which, of course, requires mature surgical skills and relatively has fewer complications.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
1min 1sec home-news-image

How should gallstones be treated?

For the treatment of gallstones, the decision mainly depends on whether there are symptoms and the size of the stones. Patients with small gallstones generally do not exhibit clear symptoms and are often discovered only through ultrasound. They do not require special treatment; regular follow-up ultrasounds to dynamically observe any changes in size are sufficient. In daily diet, it is advised to avoid food high in cholesterol and fats, and to maintain a light diet, which can better control the condition. Patients with large gallstones often experience recurrent upper right abdominal pain and discomfort, which affects their quality of life. Treatment can include the use of antibiotics to manage infections. Once the inflammation is controlled, the condition can be alleviated, but recurrences are common, necessitating eventual surgical removal of the gallstones to achieve a better treatment outcome. Primarily, complete removal of the gallbladder through surgery can potentially cure the condition.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Shen Jiang Chao
Radiology
49sec home-news-image

Gallbladder stones CT manifestations

Gallstones typically display characteristic features on a CT scan. Depending on the calcium content and the chemical composition of the stones, they can appear as high-density, isodense, or low-density stones. High-density stones present as multiple areas of increased density within the gallbladder, though they can also be solitary. A solitary high-density stone generally appears as a concentric circle with low central density surrounded by high density. Isodense stones have the same density as bile, which sometimes makes them difficult to distinguish. Low-density stones, which are primarily cholesterol stones, can sometimes contain gas, appearing as low-density shadows. CT is not the first choice for diagnosing gallstones; abdominal ultrasound is generally preferred.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
50sec home-news-image

Do gallstones need to be removed?

Whether or not gallstones need to be removed depends mainly on whether there are symptoms and the size of the stones. For patients with gallstones smaller than four centimeters, they generally do not exhibit obvious symptoms and do not require special treatment. They can have regular follow-up ultrasound exams to dynamically observe any changes in the condition. Of course, they should avoid spicy and irritating foods in their diet to reduce inflammatory stimuli, which is beneficial in controlling the condition. For patients with larger gallstones, who repeatedly experience discomfort and pain in the upper right abdomen, it is necessary to remove the gallbladder through surgery to achieve a cure. The preferred method of surgery is laparoscopic cholecystectomy, as it has the advantages of a smaller incision, less damage, and quicker recovery.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Tao
Hepatobiliary Surgery
47sec home-news-image

Clinical manifestations of gallstones

Clinical manifestations of gallbladder stones: 1. Patients often experience abdominal pain after a full meal or when eating greasy food. 2. Patients may experience upper abdominal pain, bloating, belching, and regurgitation after consuming a high-fat diet in excess, or during periods of stress or poor rest. These symptoms are often misdiagnosed as stomach disorders. When gallstones chronically press against and block the gallbladder ducts without causing an infection, the gallbladder mucosa absorbs bile pigments and secretes mucinous substances, leading to the accumulation of fluid in the gallbladder. This fluid is usually clear and colorless, commonly referred to as white bile.