Common Misdiagnoses of Cholelithiasis

Cholelithiasis results in gallstones forming in the gallbladder. Gallstones are hard deposits that are made out of either cholesterol or bilirubin, and they range from small to large in size. Many people with cholelithiasis have no symptoms unless a stone blocks one of the body's ducts. If this occurs, symptoms include pain in the upper abdomen that may be either sharp or dull, and it often comes and goes. It is usually worse after a meal and may eventually spread to the back.

Some people also get a fever, nausea and a feeling of fullness in the abdomen. Jaundice, or a yellow look to the whites of the eyes and the skin, may also occur. Cholelithiasis may eventually lead to gallbladder cancer, so it is best to get it checked out and treated fast.

Proper Diagnosis Procedure

The process of diagnosing cholelithiasis is rather complex, with the abdominal ultrasound often being one of the first procedures performed. Some doctors also perform a gallbladder scan, in which patients are given radioactive dye to allow the doctor to get a closer look at the gallbladder. In addition, doctors often test the blood and bilirubin to check the general health of the patient, as cholelithiasis may hinder certain functions of the body.

Misread Diagnosis

Doctors who perform all the recommended diagnostic procedures can often get a good idea of what is going on in the gallbladder. Of course, blood tests and ultrasounds can be misread, but having several sets of results that all point to cholelithiasis can make it hard to misdiagnose. However, some doctors do not perform all the tests and may solely diagnose after hearing the patient's symptoms.

One of the symptoms of acute pancreatitis is pain in the upper abdomen. Like the pain that comes with cholelithiasis, it may be worse after eating and it sometimes spreads to the upper back. A fever, nausea and jaundice may also appear with acute pancreatitis, similar to cholelithiasis. However, patients with acute pancreatitis nay also have hiccups, indigestion and a skin rash. Doctors who perform an ultrasound should be able to distinguish between a swollen pancreas and gallstones, but those relying on symptoms alone may not be able to.

Patients with peptic ulcer disease suffer from nausea and discomfort in the upper abdomen, much like the symptoms experienced with cholelithiasis. However, peptic ulcers also cause heartburn and bloating, as well as weight loss and blood in both the stool and vomit. Some doctors diagnose this condition just by hearing about the symptoms, but thorough physicians also perform an upper endoscopy to look inside the area and determine whether there is truly an ulcer.

Some of the symptoms of appendicitis are similar to those of cholelithiasis, such as abdominal pain, a fever and nausea. However, as the appendicitis becomes worse, the pain migrates to the lower abdomen, and most patients also lose their appetite, begin to shake, and have either constipation or diarrhea. Some doctors diagnose based on the early symptoms, in which case they may confuse appendicitis and cholelithiasis, but lab tests and ultrasounds should clear up any confusion.

Get a Lawyer

If your cholelithiasis has gotten worse as a result of delayed treatment, you should contact an attorney. You should not have to pay for medical bills that would have been unnecessary had you been correctly treated right away.