Re: question for those familiar w/gallstone panc.

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

My understanding with ultrasound is that while it is one of the

best imaging tools to detect stones it still isn't perfect. It all

depends on the patient and the technologist who does the scan

as well as the circumstances that you pointed out (timing).

HIDAs too are not perfect. You can have a normal scan on a day

when your gallbladder is functioning normally....so the nuclear

med radiologist may not detect a functional abnormality (as

opposed to an anatomical one).

The less invasive test that may give you a better idea of

gallbladder disease is the MRCP (a type of MRI that specifically

looks at the biliary tree and pancreas ducts). That may be one

test that you should lobby for in addition to, or in place of the

HIDA, depending on what you think is going on, gall bladder

wise. The absolute gold standard test is the ERCP but most

physicians are reluctant to subject someone to the risk of an

ERCP without very good reasons to do it. That is why the MRCP

is becoming the the best way to go with cases like your

husbands.

In addition, if you are not getting satisfaction from doctors in your

area, you really should consider seeing someone who

specializes in pancreas disease. Not all GI docs do which is why

pancreas specialists are somewhat rare. To reduce your fears

of having something missed before the damage becomes

permanent, you should think about getting into see a pancreas

specialist.

Laurie