GALLSTONES – ATTACKS OF COLIC
The stone may lead to attacks of colic, severe pain usually felt under the ribs on the right and radiating around to the back and across to the left.
Colic usually develops when one of the smaller stones attempts to move from the gallbladder down the duct which leads to the bowel. Smaller ones may enter the duct and then become jammed.
When this happens, there is a back pressure along the ducts and bile builds up in the liver and overflows into the blood and tissues, producing the yellow color known as jaundice. The larger stones are unable to enter the duct.
The diagnosis of stones may be suspected but an X-ray is necessary to confirm their presence. This is a cholecystogram.The patient usually has a preliminary plain X-ray. Only stones containing a lot of calcium will be visible on this film.
The person is given some tablets to take in the evening and an appointment is made for the next day. The tablets contain a radio-opaque dye which, excreted by the liver, passes in the bile into the gallbladder where, like the bile, it is concentrated and outlines this organ.
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