Gallstones

Gallstones are small, pebble-liked substances which are formations of the hardened deposits of digestive fluid in the gallbladder. There are two types of gallstones: cholesterol gallstones and pigment gallstones. Cholesterol stones are usually yellow-green and made of hardened cholesterol. Pigments stones are small dark stones made of bilirubin.

The cause of Gallstones are unclear. However, it may be due to excessive amounts of cholesterol or bilirubin in the bile and because the gallbladder does not empty completely or often enough.

• There may be no signs or symptoms
• Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the upper right portion of abdomen
• Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the centre of abdomen just below the breastbone
• Back pain between the shoulder blades
• Pain in the right shoulder
• Pain may last several minutes to a few hours
• Clay coloured stool

Gallstones can be diagnosed through abdominal ultrasound or Computerised Tomography (CT) scans. Blood tests may also be performed if complications occur.

A cholecystectomy will be performed to surgically remove the gallbladder.