HIDA scan 11% - surgery a must?

[LizN]

I am female, 5'8", 125 lbs and 22 years old.  I exercise 4-7 times a week and maintain a pretty healthy diet.

In february of this year I lost about 20lbs in 6 weeks with no changes in diet or exercise ( I have since gained about 8 lbs of that back).  After that I have had persistent stomach pain, nausea, headaches, and can't comfortably eat very much food at all.  I have had blood tests to test my sugar levels and thyroid and those came back fine.  I had an abdominal ultrasound and ct scan on my head that came back normal.  

Then my gp sent me to a dietary specialist that did an endoscopic scope and found that i had two inflammed spots in my stomach and a weak valve from my esophagus to my stomach.  He felt my pain and symptoms were something else (since i was already on protonix) so he sent me to get a HIDA scan.  This came back with 11% ejection.  

My gastroenterologist immediately jumped to me needing to have my gall bladder taken out.  At 22 I'm kind of nervous about letting them take my gall bladder out, and he wasn't very helpful explaining to me why I needed it done and what my other options are.  Are there other options to having my gb removed?  Most of the gb info on line is for gall stones, so I haven't been able to come up with information that I think is useful to me.  Also, does anyone know WHY my gb isn't working properly?

I have an appt with my gp next week to go over it before I make a decision, but wanted to go into the appt with some info.

Thanks in advance.

[Rheinau]

I am a male, 5 10 and 160 lbs and in excellent physical condition.  I had my gall bladder removed 3 weeks ago.  Pain in URQ, behind shoulder blades, etc.  HIDASCAN diagnosis was non-functional gall bladder.  Surgery wasn't all that bad but symptoms are still with me.  Surgeon said that in 20%  of cases, symptoms don't go away.  If it is not functional, it is probably best to remove.  Good luck.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

A low gallbladder ejection fraction can be responsible for your symptoms.  There are small studies that suggest that removing the gallbladder can help if this is indeed the cause.  However, there is no guarantee of success.

I agree with the endoscopy and it indeed may be responsible for some of the symptoms you describe.

If the pain continues, another opinion can be sought - preferably with a surgeon - to ensure that removing the gallbladder is the correct treatment course.

Followup with your personal physician is essential.

This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.

Kevin, M.D.
www.kevinmd.com

[sparky1974]

Usually a doctor will order a gallbladder/liver ultrasound to check for stones, with some of the following symptoms: abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, bloatedness. When that comes back to the doctor and it is normal they should order a Papida Scan to check the gall bladders function, also called ejection fraction.(blocked duct with a stone, or just a poorly or non junctioning gallbladder.) Very easy probedures to be done. Non invasive. Good Luck.