No abnormalities are seen on physical exam or on laboratory tests. Abnormal lab tests suggest the presence of stones in the bile duct. Less than one-third of patients with an initial episode of biliary pain have a recurrence over the ensuing 2 years. Cholecystitis is the inflammation of the gallbladder and may be acute or chronic. Acute inflammation causes prolonged severe right upper abdominal pain radiating to the shoulder or the back.
Fever is usually present and lab tests suggest infection.
There is poor correlation between the severity of chronic inflammation and the symptoms. This may result in inflammation of pancreas known as pancreatitis. Gas and bloating while frequently attributed to gallstones is not caused by them. Disorders causing symptoms similar to gallstones include kidney stones, pancreatitis, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcers, and heart attack. The most commonly used test is the ultrasound.