Gallstones

Data gathering

• Red flags – fever, weight loss, yellowing of skin
• Examine – temp, pulse, BP, abdominal exam

Clinical management

• Investigations
  • Bloods – FBC, U+Es, LFTs, CRP
  • USS abdo

• Explanation
  • the gallbladder helps make bile which helps with digestion of food, sometimes this bile can become small stones (or a large stone). In most cases, this does not cause symptoms but some people have symptoms because the stone gets trapped in a duct causing pain

• Treatment
  • Conservative – can be left alone if asymptomatic
  • Refer – cholecystectomy

• Follow-up / Safety net – if fevers/worsening pain/yellowing of skin, rw again