My sonogram was normal, but I still think my pain is from my gallbladder. What other tests can I have to check my gallbladder?

The sonogram finds almost all gallstones. If these tests are normal, you probably don’t have gallstones. Most gallbladder pain comes from gallstones, but a few people have pain without gallstones. In these cases, the gallbladder hurts because it fills and empties poorly or because it contains bile crystals, which partially block the bile passages.

You may have an Upper GI endoscopy with duodenal drainage to check for bile crystals in the gallbladder. You may also have a Nuclear Medicine hepatobiliary scan with gallbladder ejection fraction to check gallbladder filling and emptying.

What is a hepatobiliary scan with gallbladder ejection fraction?

This test shows the liver, main bile passage and gallbladder. The Nuclear Medicine technician first injects a small amount of radioactive dye into a vein. The dye collects in the liver, then travels through the bile passages to the gallbladder and small intestine. Dye should collect in the gallbladder. If it does not, the gallbladder is blocked. Gallbladder surgery will help.

If the gallbladder fills with radioactive dye, the technician gives a Kinevac injection to squeeze the gallbladder [which then produces tons of nausea]. A scanner measures the radioactivity leaving the gallbladder. This shows how well the gallbladder empties. A gallbladder that empties poorly can cause pain. Gallbladder surgery may help.

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I haven’t heard back from the doctor yet with test results, which I spose means whatever is going on isn’t life-threatening, but I’d like to know if I need surgery or what. During my test, the ol gall bladder did take a rather long time to fill up.