How to Test for Gallstones and Biliary Blockage

How to check for gallstones and bile duct blockage?

Gallstones and bile duct obstruction are common diseases. In a broad sense, gallstones are a type of bile duct obstruction. Gallstones are more common in 3F women, i.e. obese, multiparous, and over 40 years old. Patients will experience symptoms such as biliary colic, jaundice, high fever, chills, etc., and may be complicated by bacterial infection.

1. Laboratory examination. First, laboratory examinations should be performed, including routine blood tests and liver function tests. If the blood count is elevated, it indicates infection, which needs to be judged in combination with inflammatory indicators. When gallstones cause bile duct obstruction, bilirubin will increase to a certain extent, manifesting as yellowing of the skin.

2. B-ultrasound examination. For patients with gallstones, B-ultrasound examination is the preferred examination method with an accuracy rate of up to 95%. It can determine the specific location and size of the stones, as well as whether there are complications of bile duct obstruction.

3. Magnetic resonance pancreatic cholangiography: Through cholangiography, the distribution of gallstones and liver parenchymal lesions can be clearly seen, which has important diagnostic value.

4. Endoscopic retrograde pancreatic cholangiography. Under the endoscope, the bile duct can be directly observed, suspected lesions can be biopsied, and the pancreatic duct can be observed. This examination method is invasive and may induce cholangitis or pancreatitis, so caution is required.

5. Percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography: If there is bile duct dilatation, but CT or MRCP cannot find lesions, the examination can be considered, but the examination has certain risks and may be complicated by biliary infection, bile leakage, etc.

The above are the methods for checking gallstones and bile duct obstruction, including laboratory tests, B-ultrasound examinations, cholangiography, etc. Gallstones are one of the more common stone diseases, which can easily lead to bile duct obstruction, biliary colic, jaundice, etc., and must be treated in time. If the pain is very severe, spasmodic drugs can be used to relieve the pain, and pethidine can be used if necessary. Laparoscopic cholecystectomy should be performed as soon as possible in the acute stage to avoid recurrence of the disease.