A simple urine dipstick test is showing promise in providing early evidence of possible pancreatitis in patients who come to the emergency room with severe abdominal pain. Imaging techniques are useful in confirming a diagnosis. Ultrasound is used often. Because most cases are asymptomatic, however, the rates may be underestimated in elderly men. Men who have their gallbladders removed, moreover, are more likely to have severe disease and more operative complications than women.
Gallstone disease is relatively rare in children.
Those at risk are children with a spinal injury, a history of abdominal surgery, sickle-cell anemia, impaired immune systems, or children who receive nutrition intravenously. Gallstones in children are more likely to be pigmented. Girls do not seem to be more at risk than boys. Women are probably at increased risk because estrogen stimulates the liver to remove more cholesterol from blood and divert it into the bile. Pregnant women with stones are more likely to have symptoms.