Gallbladder stone symptoms but born without one

[Aedrynn]

I have had on-and-off mild discomfort in my back, near the bottom of my right shoulder blade.  At first, my doctor thought it was a pulled or spasming muscle.  Muscle relaxers didn't help, so he sent me for an ultrasound.  According to the report, my gallbladder was filled with "calculi," which my doctor said signifies stones and I should get my gallbladder removed immediately.  I went in for the  laparascopic surgery yesterday and my surgeon found that I either did NOT have one or it is tucked away somewhere where it shouldn't be!

I have two questions for this situation:

1.)  How common is birth without a gallbladder (or malformation causing it to be located somewhere else)?

2.)  My surgeon mentioned I should have a MRI done to show if and where I have a gallbladder.  If I DO have one and it's somewhere else, would that still cause traditional gallbladder symptoms?  Or, is it likely my discomfort is caused by something else?

I'm worried now because I hear of horrible gallbladder attacks (thank goodness I've never had one, as of yet!) and I want to get this resolved before I do have one...

Thanks so much!


This discussion is related to Missing a Gallbladder.

[CalGal]

Get the MRI (probably MRCP) done and find out what's going on. If the GB is slightly out of position, it can still be causing the pain. If you've got sludge/crystals and they enter the cystic duct and common bile duct, it can cause a lot of pain and discomfort.

[Aedrynn]

Also, I just wanted to add...

I had my blood checked when I originally had the ultrasound and they said I am completely healthy aside from one thing:  I have slightly elevated levels of BILIRUBIN.  I don't know if this information helps with my situation but figured I'd post it, just in case.

Thanks again!