Gallbladder Disease

Gallbladder disease is defined by a blockage of the bile ducts and the inability of bile to flow from the liver to the intestines.

Gallbladder disease may be caused by gallstones, which develop for various reasons and can obstruct the flow of bile from the gallbladder or bile ducts. Bile which contains digestive enzymes is stored in the gallbladder and travels from the liver to the intestines through the bile ducts.

The gallbladder may also cause symptoms without the presence of gallstones. If the gallbladder is unable to contract (squeeze) normally, right upper quadrant abdominal pain may result, particularly with meals.

Symptoms of gallbladder disease include:

Abdominal pain after meals
Fever
Jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes)
Right upper quadrant abdominal pain

Diagnosis of Gallbladder Disease

If your child experiences symptoms of gallbladder disease, a pediatric gastroenterologist can perform the following exams and tests to help make a diagnosis:

Blood tests. A blood test called a bilirubin panel measures the amount of bilirubin in the blood. Elevated levels of bilirubin cause jaundice.
Gallbladder ejection fraction study. This nuclear medicine study measures the contraction (squeezing) of the gallbladder. A tracer is injected into a vein in your child's arm and is processed in the liver-like bile. A special camera then tracks the flow of the tracer as it is taken from the bloodstream to the liver through the gallbladder and into the small intestine. This test, which is also called a hepatobiliary iminodiacetic acid (HIDA) scan, shows how well the gallbladder is functioning.
Imaging tests. Different imaging tests can detect the presence of gallstones, including:
- Computed tomography (CT)
- Ultrasound

Treatments

Treatments for gallbladder disease include:

Monitoring with ultrasound. If your child has gallstones but does not experience symptoms, your child should be monitored with periodic ultrasound. You should report any occurrence of symptoms to your child's pediatric gastroenterologist.
Surgery. Most gallbladder diseases, including gallstones and poor contraction, are treated by surgical removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy). Your child's pediatric gastroenterologist may recommend a consultation with a pediatric surgeon to discuss surgical options.

Key Points to Remember

Gallbladder disease involves the inability of bile to flow from the liver to the intestines.
Gallstones or abnormal gallbladder contractions can block bile flow.
A common symptom is upper right quadrant abdominal pain.
Treatments include monitoring your child’s condition and gallbladder removal.

Support Services & Resources

Visit the websites below to find support groups and services and learn more about gallbladder disease.

Riley at IU Health offers a broad range of supportive services to make life better for families who choose us for their children's care.

Learn More About Riley Support Services

GIKids

This website from the North American Society for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition provides information about gallstones.