ERCP is particularly relevant for diagnosis and management of stones in the bile duct. The gallbladder can sometimes be painful and become inflamed even in the absence of gallstones. These two conditions can be diagnosed by a scanning technique using radioactive isotopes, usually referred to as an HIDA scan. This shows whether the gallbladder is blocked, or cannot drain completely. These conditions are treated in the same way as gallbladder stones.
Cancer can develop in the wall of the gallbladder.
It appears to be more common in patients with gallstones. Unfortunately, it often does not cause symptoms until the cancer has spread to the liver or adjacent bile duct. Surgical removal is appropriate where technically possible. Treatments Surgery, called cholecystectomy, is the most common method for treating gallstones despite the development of some nonsurgical techniques. Each year more than 500,000 Americans have gallbladder surgery.