| Gallstones
Liver makes bile, which helps digest
fats and other food components. Extra
bile produced by Liver is stored in
a small sac called Gallbladder, which
squirts out the bile as needed into
the small intestine.
For multiple reasons, including overproduction
of Bilirubin and Cholesterol by Liver,
or blockage of the ducts that carry
bile into intestines, small stones
can form in the gallbladder or the
ducts. These gallstones can be as
small as a grain of sand or as large
as a golf ball. Most of the stones
are formed from hardened or crystallized
cholesterol.
Symptoms of gallstones are similar
to several other G.I. ailments - so
careful diagnosis is important.
Gallstones
can be diagnosed with
|
Ultrasound |
|
Endoscopic
retrograde cholangiopancreatography
(ERCP) |
|
CT
Scan |
|
MRI
Cholangiogram |
|
Cholescintigraphy
(HIDA scan) |
|
|
Blood
tests |
In
some cases, gallstones present in the
bile ducts can be removed during endoscopy.
But, in most cases where multiple stones
or large ones are present in the gallbladder,
the gallbladder is removed surgically:
|
|
Cholecystectomy
(removal of gallbladder) |
|
|
Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy |
|
|
Endoscopic
Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
(ERCP) |
In
some cases, it may be appropriate
to use non surgical methods, including
oral drugs, or drugs directly injected
into the gallbladder. These drugs
can dissolve smaller gallstones over
time.
After the initial treatment, I can
help you modify your diet and exercise
levels to reduce chances of new stones
forming in the gallbladder.
If you suspect you might have gallstones,
or have a history of gallstones, I
can help you. Please call [ 415-600-3700]
or 
email
me to make an appointment. |
