Gallbladder stones are best imaged by simple abdominal ultrasound scanning
CT scanning will also pick up gallstones but will miss them in 10% of patients
MRCP is a non-evasive way of imaging gallbladder stones
Figure 1MRCP showing a large stone in the gallbladder. Note the common bile duct is normal. Click image to enlarge » |
Figure 2MRCP showing a stone in the lower bile duct. Click image to enlarge » |
EUS is useful for diagnosing the presence of tiny gallbladder stones and gallbladder sludge often associated with undiagnosed right upper abdominal pain.