Is it possible to have gallstones that don't appear on an ultrasound?

Question

I've been having gallbladder pain. I had an ultrasound. Didn't find gall stones, but did find a polyp. Is it possible to have gall stones that just don't show up on the ultrasound?

Answer 1

I'd guess so. Ultrasounds are only as good as the operator, and it's entirely possible to "miss" things, though not probable. If a stone is large enough to cause you pain, then it should be easily visible.

I'm a little curious how you could feel "gall bladder pain", however. Internal organs tend not to have pain centers. The main pain from gall stones comes from when they try to pass through the Common Bile Duct, which does have pain nerves (much like the ureter for kidney stones). Sharp abdominal pains can have many causes, from cramps to colon cancer (!!). Hope yours are more benign.

P.S. Note that it's entirely possible that the pain you felt was the gall stone passing, so that would be why it's no longer visible on ultrasound... I've never heard of someone having just ONE gallstone, though.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

If you have any reason to doubt the quality of the equipment or the ability of the technician you may wish to have another ultrasound from a better clinic.

Answer 4

I believe you can have many small stones, that are too small to see and yet there are enough of them to cause pain.