About
Need to know
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Symptoms of gallstones icon plus
Most gallstones are made up of cholesterol but can also form from bile or calcium. They're more common the older you get and affect women more than men. Pregnancy, obesity and rapid weight loss are also risk factors. Possible symptoms of gallstones are:
- biliary colic (severe abdominal pain), caused by your gallbladder squeezing to dislodge a stone
- cholecystitis (inflammation of the gallbladder), caused by infection and can lead to pain and fever
- jundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes; darkening of urine)
- acute pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas)
Other complications include severe infection of the bile duct and bowel obstruction.
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Diagnosis icon plus
Your consultant may carry out the Murphy's sign test. Their hand or fingers are placed on the upper right area of your abdomen and you'll be asked to breathe in. If this hurts, it usually means your gallbladder is inflamed.
Blood tests can detect infection, or that your liver may not be working normally ‒ a sign that gallstones have moved into your bile duct.
An ultrasound is the most effective at diagnosing gallstones. Gallstones can also show in routine X-rays, and MRI or CT scans. A type of MRI called MRCP is used to look at the bile ducts to see if the gallstones have moved into your bile duct.
A HIDA scan can be used to look at the function of the gallbladder and bile ducts
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Potential treatment options icon plus
Usually, gallstones require treatment only if they've led to symptoms. If your consultant thinks treatment is necessary, they'll discuss your options with you. These may include:
- Medicines. Ursodeoxycholic acid may be prescribed to dissolve smaller stones.
- Laparoscopic cholecystectomy. A key-hole surgical procedure to remove your gallbladder. If a stone has moved from your gallbladder to your bile duct, another procedure may be necessary.
- Endoscopic retrograde cholangio-pancreatography (ERCP). A procedure that can be used to remove gallstones from the bile duct.
- A healthy, balanced diet. If surgery isn't recommended or you want to avoid it.
Our facilities
From complex surgery to straightforward procedures, we provide exceptional care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
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The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place
London W1U 5NY
Appointments 020 7908 8001
Enquiries 020 7486 1234
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The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place
London NW8 9LE
Appointments 0207 483 5148
Enquiries 0207 586 5959
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London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street
London
SE1 2PR
Appointments & Enquiries 0207 234 2009
Imaging Appointments 0207 234 2773
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The Harley Street Clinic
35 Weymouth Street
London
W1G 8BJ
Appointments 020 7034 8181
Enquiries 020 7935 7700
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The Portland Hospital
205 - 209 Great Portland Street
London
W1W 5AH
Children's enquiries 020 7390 8020
Maternity enquiries 020 7390 6068
Gynaecology enquiries 020 7390 6200 -
London Digestive Centre
41 Welbeck Street
London
W1G 8DU
Call 020 7908 8003
Opening hours Monday - Friday: 8am - 8pm
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The Wellington Digestive Health Centre
21 Wellington Road
St Johns Wood
London NW8 9SQ
Call 020 7483 5148
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The Wellington Hospital Liver Unit
The Wellington Hospital Liver Unit
North Building, Circus Road, St John's Wood
London NW8 6DP
Call 020 7483 5933