if your doctor suspects you have gallstones he or she will do a physical examination and may perform various other tests including the following: blood tests to check for signs of infection or obstruction and/or to rule out other conditions. ultrasound : this procedure transmits high frequency sound waves through the body. the echoes are recorded and transformed into images of various parts of the body. an ultrasound can be used to identify gallstones. cat scan : this test uses specialized x-rays to create cross-section images of organs and body tissues. cholescintigraphy (hida scan) : this test can determine whether the gallbladder is contracting correctly. a radioactive material is injected into the patient and makes its way to the gallbladder. the technician can then observe the movement of the gallbladder. endoscopic ultrasound : this test combines ultrasound and endoscopy to look for gallstones. endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography : the doctor inserts an endoscope through the patient's mouth down to the small intestine and injects a dye to allow the bile ducts to be seen. the doctor can then remove gallstones that have moved into the ducts.
how are gallstones diagnosed?