Fast access to gallstone scans, with reports sent to you and/or your GP
If you have persistent abdominal pain, bloating after meals, or discomfort under the right side of your ribs, gallstones may be the cause. A gallbladder ultrasound scan (also called a gallbladder scan or gallstone scan) can show whether they are.
Ultrasound is the usual first test for gallstones. Your gallbladder scan is a full upper abdominal ultrasound, so as well as the gallbladder we look at the liver, pancreas, kidneys, spleen and aorta, and other causes of your pain can be picked up at the same time.
Gallstones are small stones that form in the gallbladder, a small organ that sits beneath the liver and helps digest fats. They are common, and they are more likely in women, in people over 40 and in people who are overweight, and they can run in families.
Many people with gallstones have no symptoms. But when stones block the bile ducts, they can cause painful attacks known as biliary colic. According to the NHS, gallstones often develop without obvious symptoms until they begin to cause pain or complications. Learn more from the NHS here.
Book an upper abdomen ultrasound Call us on 01829 863 331You may benefit from a gallbladder ultrasound scan if you have:
These are common reasons people choose a private ultrasound to
investigate a possible gallbladder problem.
A gallbladder ultrasound can show:
Ultrasound is good at showing stones in the gallbladder, but it has limits. It can miss small stones in the bile ducts, and gas in the bowel can limit the view. If your symptoms suggest a problem the scan can’t fully show, other tests, such as blood tests or an MRI scan of the bile ducts, may be recommended. We’ll explain the next steps.
Your appointment at Enigma Healthcare is designed to be straightforward and reassuring, and typically takes around 20 minutes.
Ultrasound scans are non-invasive and painless, and most patients can return to normal activities immediately afterwards. Your report is sent directly to you and/or your GP.
If gallstones are found – Many people with gallstones have no symptoms and need no treatment. If your gallstones are causing problems, we can advise on referral to the appropriate specialist if treatment is required.
Book an upper abdomen ultrasound Call us on 01829 863 331Yes. Ultrasound is the usual first test for gallstones and is good at showing stones in the gallbladder. It can miss small stones in the bile ducts, so your clinician may suggest other tests if your symptoms point that way.
Yes. Ultrasound is commonly used to look for signs of gallbladder inflammation (cholecystitis), such as a thickened gallbladder wall or fluid around the gallbladder. Severe pain with a high temperature needs urgent medical help, so don’t wait for a scan appointment.
You will usually be asked not to eat for several hours beforehand, because eating makes the gallbladder contract, which can make stones harder to see. We’ll confirm exactly what to do when you book.
Yes. We always examine the whole upper abdomen, so a gallbladder scan is the same appointment as an abdominal ultrasound. It looks at the gallbladder, liver, pancreas, kidneys, spleen and aorta together.
We’ll explain what the scan shows. Many people with gallstones have no symptoms and need no treatment. If yours are causing problems, we can advise on referral to the appropriate specialist.
It can show gallstones, gallbladder inflammation, widening of the bile ducts, liver abnormalities and other causes of abdominal pain. It can miss small stones in the bile ducts, and gas in the bowel can limit the view.
Not ready to book an appointment just yet, or want to know which scan is right for your symptoms?
Leave us your details and your question below, and a member of our imaging team will get back to you personally.
Prefer to talk straight away? Call us on 01829 863 331.
