Yasmin And Gallstones: Diagnsosis Using Cholescintigraphy - HIDA Scan

Gallbladder problems caused by Yasmin and gallstones can be dangerous. Given the right set of circumstances, stones can cause infection, fistulas, polyps, organ perforation, and acute pancreatitis. Infection can lead to additional problems, such as liver and kidney damage. For these reasons, it is important to diagnose stones as soon as possible.

Gallstones often cause symptoms that are similar to those presented by other conditions. Your doctor will first try to rule out stomach ulcers, kidney stones, gastroesophageal reflux, and a few other disorders. Once he or she is reasonably confident stones are causing your symptoms, blood tests and ultrasound are used to diagnose them.

Ultrasound is an accurate imaging technique. It can detect most Yaz gallstones as long as they measure at least 2 millimeters in diameter. Unfortunately, it is far less accurate for detecting bile duct stones. This usually requires an imaging method called cholescintigraphy (HIDA scan).

How A HIDA Scan Is Performed

This test uses a radioactive material that is introduced into your bloodstream by injection. Your liver removes this material from your blood and secretes it along with bile fluid. The chemical then flows through your biliary tree. It moves through the cystic duct into your gall bladder, then outward into your common bile duct and into your small intestine.

This chemical produces radioactivity, which can be detected with a special gamma camera. Your doctor will use this camera to take images of the material as it moves from your liver, into your gall bladder, and through the bile duct. If the chemical fails to fill the gallbladder, that suggests stones may be present in the cystic duct. Likewise, if the chemical's movement through the bile duct is slowed, that suggests bile duct stones.

The advantage of using a HIDA scan is that the test is very precise. It is more accurate than ultrasound for diagnosing obstructions in the cystic and bile ducts. The drawback is that it requires the injection of the radioactive material and takes up to two hours to complete.

Bile Duct Blockages Caused By Yasmin And Gallstones

Gallstones that form an obstruction in the bile duct are especially problematic. They can set the stage for infection in the duct (known as cholangitis) as bacteria ascends the biliary tree from the duodenum. This bacteria is normally controlled when bile fluid flows unobstructed through the duct. A blockage allows the bacteria to fester, leading to infection. Unless it is treated with antibiotics, infection can climb toward your liver and cause damage.

Another problem occurs when stones migrate further down into the bile duct. They can form an obstruction past the point at which the bile duct and pancreatic duct merge. When this happens, digestive enzymes secreted by the pancreas are blocked from passing into the small intestine. These enzymes, trapped with nowhere to go, begin to digest the cells of the pancreas. This is known as pancreatitis, a potentially fatal condition.

Treating Gallstones In The Bile Duct

Once your doctor has finished the HIDA scan and confirmed the presence of cystic or bile duct stones, he or she will discuss your treatment options. If you suffer from Yaz gallbladder disease or stones within your gall bladder, your doctor will suggest having the organ surgically removed. This is done with a procedure called cholecystectomy. Bile duct stones, however, cannot be removed with cholecystectomy. Their removal requires ERCP with endoscopic sphincterotomy. This is a relatively common procedure, but poses a small risk of pancreatitis, perforations, and bleeding.

Nearly all Yasmin gallbladder problems are caused by stones. They can be dangerous, depending on their location within your biliary tree. If you have suffered from gallbladder disease, gallstones, or related problems after using Yasmin birth control, find out about your legal rights.