Gallbladder & Biliary-Tract Ultrasonography

Category: Gastrointestinal system.
Subcategory: Ultrasonography.
Material studied: Photographs of images produced by ultrasound equipment.
Estimated cost of test: $100.00 to $180.00.
Patient time for test: 1-2 hours.
Reliability of test results: Good. Other tests, studies and clinical observations are necessary to establish a precise diagnosis.
Available as home self-test? No.

BEFORE THE TEST

Purpose of test:

• Confirms diagnosis of gallstones.
• Diagnoses acute inflammation of the gallbladder.
• Determines whether jaundice is caused by a blocked bile duct or by liver disease.

Where is test performed?

• Commercial laboratory, hospital, doctor's office, outpatient or free-standing surgical clinic.

Who performs test?

• Lab technician, nurse, doctor.

Risks and precautions:

• Sincalide may be hazardous when used in children. There is also a hazard if you are pregnant or have allergic reactions to this medicine.

Patient preparation:

• Activity - No changes necessary.
• Diet - Eat a fat-free meal in the evening, then fast 8 to 12 hours before the procedure.
• Medicines - No changes necessary.
• Disrobing - Remove all clothing. Put on surgical gown.

THE TEST

Sensory factors:

• Touching - You may be uncomfortable for short periods when you assume the positions the technician requests. Examining rooms are frequently uncomfortably cool when you disrobe for the examination.
• Seeing - Strange-appearing heavy equipment in a small space.
• Hearing - Sounds of ultrasound machine.
• Feeling - You may feel intimidated by the large equipment. Some degree of apprehension or fear is normal and should be expected. This discomfort disappears when the test is completed. You may also feel uncomfortable for a short while if small, enclosed space causes you discomfort.
• Other senses (taste, smell) - Not affected.

Equipment used:

• Water-soluble lubricant.
• Ultrasound transducer.
• Marking pen.
• I.V. equipment (optional).
• Sincalide (optional).
• Oscilloscope screen.

Description of test:

• You or a close relative will be required to sign a consent form after the procedure has been explained to you.
• Follow technician's instructions for positioning your body.
• Water-soluble lubricant is applied to your skin.
• Technician guides a transducer, which may feel cold on your skin, over the area examined.
• Transducer sends an ultrasound beam, composed of very high-frequency soundwaves inaudible to the human ear.
• After passing through tissue, reflected soundwaves are converted into electrical impulses and displayed on a video screen for interpretation or photographing for later interpretation.
• If sincalide is injected to stimulate gallbladder contraction, you may experience some side effects, such as abdominal cramping, spasms of the anus or bladder, nausea, dizziness, sweating and flushing.

AFTER THE TEST

Immediate post-test care:

• None.

Activity after test:

• Resume normal diet.
• Return to pretest activities right away.

Time before test results available:

• Time before results are reported to the doctor or patient varies from a few minutes to a few days.

TEST RESULTS

Test values:

• Test results are determined by interpreting photographs.

Normal values:

• No anatomical or functional abnormalities.

What ABNORMAL may indicate:

• Acute cholecystitis.
• Biliary sludge inside the gallbladder.
• Cancer of the gallbladder.
• Chronic cholecystitis.
• Obstructive jaundice.
• Polyps.

Taking these drugs may affect test results:

• None expected.

Other factors that may affect test results:

• Failure to follow pretest dietary restrictions.
• Bowel gas.
• Dehydration of your body.
• Barium from previous diagnostic tests.

From the Complete Guide to Medical Tests by H. Winter Griffith, M.D. © 1988 by Fisher Books; electronic rights by Medical Data Exchange.