Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsReasons OrderedPrep and ProcedureNormal vs. Abnormal ResultsNext Steps
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Reasons Ordered
Prep and Procedure
Normal vs. Abnormal Results
Next Steps
An abdominal ultrasound is an imaging test using sound waves that can used to view internal organs, including the gallbladder. A healthcare provider may order one if symptoms, such as abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, and chills, suggest a problem with the gallbladder.
A gallbladder ultrasound is noninvasive and painless. It is performed after the person has fasted (stopped eating) for up to 12 hours. Some of the problems that an ultrasound can help diagnose include gallstones, inflammation, perforation, polyps, and infection.
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Reasons Providers Order a Gallbladder Ultrasound
Gallbladder conditionsare common. They range in seriousness, so it’s important to understand what is causing symptoms in order to get the proper treatment.
Anultrasoundis a noninvasive way to get a picture of what’s going on inside the gallbladder. It can be scheduled relatively quickly, without the need for much preparation or the use of an anesthetic (drug given to cause temporary numbing or awareness).
An ultrasound of thegallbladdermight be done when there is unexplained abdominal pain. Pain in the upper right side of the abdomen can be a clue that the gallbladder is involved.
A healthcare provider may schedule a gallbladder ultrasound if they suspect that symptoms are due to any of the following conditions:
Gallstones (cholelithiasis):Gallstonesaffect 10% to 15% of the U.S. population.They occur when the cholesterol or bilirubin in the gallbladder solidifies into hard rock-like pieces. When they occur, there could be many, or there could be just one. They might also range in size from a grain of sand to a golf ball. An ultrasound could help find gallstones.
Gallstones may cause symptoms such as:
Gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis): Gallstones can lead to gallbladder inflammation (an immune system reaction to an irritant or injury). Less commonly, the inflammation could be from a disease, tumor, abscess, perforation (hole), or infection. People who are older or have another serious condition,diabetes, heart disease may be athigher riskfor gallbladder inflammation.
An ultrasound may show the gallbladder walls are thickened, there is excess fluid orsludge in the gallbladder(a thickened liquid that may be the beginnings of gallstones), or that the gallbladder is distended.
Bile duct obstruction:A blockage in the gallbladder ducts could cause symptoms that lead to having an ultrasound. The blockage could be due to gallstones. Less commonly, a tumor or a polyp could block a duct. Inflammation could also cause the bile ducts to narrow and lead to an obstruction.
Trauma or injury:If there is an injury to the area near the gallbladder, an ultrasound can help determine if there is a contusion (bleeding within the gallbladder wakk) or a perforation.Blood can appear in the gallbladder (hemobilia), especially after a procedure on the biliary system. Seeing blood in the gallbladder could indicate an injury or cause of bleeding that may need treatment.
Other gallbladder conditions:Less common conditions of the gallbladder that can be seen on ultrasound include cancer, abnormal tissue in the gallbladder, a twisted gallbladder, an infection with worms, or anatomical variants (a difference in the structure of the gallbladder that someone is born with).
An ultrasound might also be used to monitor an already diagnosed condition, such as gallstones.
How Ultrasound Prep and Procedure Works
An ultrasound of the abdomen, including the gallbladder, is straightforward. It takes about 15 to 20 minutes to complete the test. It is noninvasive, and there is not much prep work needed beforehand. No radiation is used in an ultrasound. No sedation is used, so you can drive to and from the appointment.
Results may be available fairly quickly, a few days to a week, or even less, depending on the facility where it is done and the availability of healthcare providers to interpret the images.
Day Before the Ultrasound
To see the gallbladder well, a healthcare provider may give instructions aboutfasting (not eating)before the test. A fast of six to 12 hours before the scheduled time for the test is commonly requested. This is because the gallbladdercontracts and releases bileafter a meal. Healthcare providers want to see the gallbladder at rest on the ultrasound.
Drinking a small amount of clear liquids while fasting, including coffee, tea, and water, may be possible. However, it’s important to avoid sugar, milk, creamer, honey, or any other type of fat or sugar. Check the instructions for the test or ask a healthcare provider for the details on fasting.
Day of the Ultrasound
After arriving at the facility for the ultrasound appointment, you will usually be asked for identification and insurance information. It may also be necessary to complete a questionnaire with information about personal and family medical history.
You might also be asked for contact information for the healthcare provider who ordered the ultrasound and any other providers who should receive the results (such as aprimary care provideror agastroenterologist).
Wear loose, comfortable clothing on the day of the test. Remove any jewelry, especially anything on the abdomen. You will either need to change into a hospital gown or move clothing out of the way to expose the abdomen.If needed, it is a good idea to go to the bathroom before getting started.
You will lie down on a table for the test. A handheld device called a transducer is used for the scan. The healthcare provider giving the test will apply some warm gel to the abdomen to help the transducer glide over the abdomen to take images. It may be necessary to adjust positions slightly to get the needed images.
The technician performing the test may not be able to provide any information on the results. The images will go to a specialist who can interpret them. After the test, you can go home and resume your normal activities.
An ultrasound is often a convenient choice for looking into potential problems with the gallbladder:
Polyps vs. GallstonesAn ultrasound is highlysensitive and specificfor gallbladder polyps. That means that false negatives (a polyp exists but is not seen) are less likely. However, small gallstones (less than 5 mm) could be mistaken for a polyp.Polyps are fixed to the wall of the gallbladder. They have a stalk that might not be visible, which means that they may look like a “ball” stuck to the wall of the interior of the gallbladder. Gallstones are mobile (they can move around).People can have both gallstones and polyps. Sometimes, polyps precede gallstonesIf you have any concerns about mistaking a polyp for a stone or vice versa, it’s important to discuss that possibility with a healthcare provider and find out what else can or should be done.
Polyps vs. Gallstones
An ultrasound is highlysensitive and specificfor gallbladder polyps. That means that false negatives (a polyp exists but is not seen) are less likely. However, small gallstones (less than 5 mm) could be mistaken for a polyp.Polyps are fixed to the wall of the gallbladder. They have a stalk that might not be visible, which means that they may look like a “ball” stuck to the wall of the interior of the gallbladder. Gallstones are mobile (they can move around).People can have both gallstones and polyps. Sometimes, polyps precede gallstonesIf you have any concerns about mistaking a polyp for a stone or vice versa, it’s important to discuss that possibility with a healthcare provider and find out what else can or should be done.
An ultrasound is highlysensitive and specificfor gallbladder polyps. That means that false negatives (a polyp exists but is not seen) are less likely. However, small gallstones (less than 5 mm) could be mistaken for a polyp.
Polyps are fixed to the wall of the gallbladder. They have a stalk that might not be visible, which means that they may look like a “ball” stuck to the wall of the interior of the gallbladder. Gallstones are mobile (they can move around).
People can have both gallstones and polyps. Sometimes, polyps precede gallstones
If you have any concerns about mistaking a polyp for a stone or vice versa, it’s important to discuss that possibility with a healthcare provider and find out what else can or should be done.
Next Steps With Abnormal Results
If anything of concern is shown in the images, a healthcare provider will contact you to discuss the next steps. This may include a message in the patient electronic portal, a phone call, and/or an office meeting.
A repeat ultrasound or more imaging tests may be needed to rule in or rule out any abnormalities. Blood tests may also be ordered before or after the ultrasound. All of this information will help in making decisions about treatment if there is a problem, such as gallstones.
Summary
Gallbladder problems are common and may cause symptoms such as abdominal pain after eating. An abdominal ultrasound can help create images of the gallbladder and other organs in the area. Many types of conditions that affect the gallbladder can be seen on an ultrasound.
The test itself is fairly simple and painless. The prep for the ultrasound includes not eating overnight or for several hours before the test. There are no restrictions on activity once the test is over.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Gallstones.Mencarini L, Vestito A, Zagari RM, Montagnani M.New developments in the ultrasonography diagnosis of gallbladder diseases.Gastroenterology Insights. 2024;15:42-68. doi:10.3390/gastroent15010004University of Washington Medical Center.Ultrasound: abdominal exam.Gupta P, Marodia Y, Bansal A, et al.Imaging-based algorithmic approach to gallbladder wall thickening.World J Gastroenterol. 2020;26(40):6163-6181. doi:10.3748/wjg.v26.i40.6163Kim KH.Gallbladder polyps: evolving approach to the diagnosis and management.Yeungnam Univ J Med. 2021;38(1):1-9. doi:10.12701/yujm.2020.00213
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Gallstones.Mencarini L, Vestito A, Zagari RM, Montagnani M.New developments in the ultrasonography diagnosis of gallbladder diseases.Gastroenterology Insights. 2024;15:42-68. doi:10.3390/gastroent15010004University of Washington Medical Center.Ultrasound: abdominal exam.Gupta P, Marodia Y, Bansal A, et al.Imaging-based algorithmic approach to gallbladder wall thickening.World J Gastroenterol. 2020;26(40):6163-6181. doi:10.3748/wjg.v26.i40.6163Kim KH.Gallbladder polyps: evolving approach to the diagnosis and management.Yeungnam Univ J Med. 2021;38(1):1-9. doi:10.12701/yujm.2020.00213
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Gallstones.Mencarini L, Vestito A, Zagari RM, Montagnani M.New developments in the ultrasonography diagnosis of gallbladder diseases.Gastroenterology Insights. 2024;15:42-68. doi:10.3390/gastroent15010004University of Washington Medical Center.Ultrasound: abdominal exam.Gupta P, Marodia Y, Bansal A, et al.Imaging-based algorithmic approach to gallbladder wall thickening.World J Gastroenterol. 2020;26(40):6163-6181. doi:10.3748/wjg.v26.i40.6163Kim KH.Gallbladder polyps: evolving approach to the diagnosis and management.Yeungnam Univ J Med. 2021;38(1):1-9. doi:10.12701/yujm.2020.00213
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Gallstones.
Mencarini L, Vestito A, Zagari RM, Montagnani M.New developments in the ultrasonography diagnosis of gallbladder diseases.Gastroenterology Insights. 2024;15:42-68. doi:10.3390/gastroent15010004
University of Washington Medical Center.Ultrasound: abdominal exam.
Gupta P, Marodia Y, Bansal A, et al.Imaging-based algorithmic approach to gallbladder wall thickening.World J Gastroenterol. 2020;26(40):6163-6181. doi:10.3748/wjg.v26.i40.6163
Kim KH.Gallbladder polyps: evolving approach to the diagnosis and management.Yeungnam Univ J Med. 2021;38(1):1-9. doi:10.12701/yujm.2020.00213
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