Stone Analysis - Gall Bladder – BC299
🔬 Biochemical AnalysisReport: 5-7th Working Day
Sample Type: Gallstone (Post-Surgical)
Test Code: BC299
The Gall Bladder Stone Analysis is a specialized laboratory test that determines the exact chemical composition of a gallstone after it has been surgically removed. By identifying the primary components of the stone, this test helps doctors understand the underlying cause of its formation.
✔ Helps determine the cause of gallstone formation.
✔ Differentiates between Cholesterol stones, Pigment stones (bilirubin), and mixed stones.
✔ Guides doctors in recommending lifestyle and dietary changes to help prevent future recurrence.
✔ Requires the actual stone(s) to be submitted to the diagnostic center after surgery.
Why Analyze a Gallstone?
Gallstones are hardened deposits of digestive fluid that can form in your gallbladder. While the immediate treatment for painful gallstones is often the surgical removal of the gallbladder (cholecystectomy), simply removing the organ doesn't always address the underlying metabolic condition that caused the stones to form in the first place.
Analyzing the stone's composition provides crucial clues about its origin, which helps in guiding long-term management and preventing other related complications.
The Main Types of Gallstones
This analysis, performed by a specialized laboratory, will classify the stone into one of the main types:
- Cholesterol Stones: This is the most common type (about 80% of stones). They are typically yellowish-green and are composed primarily of undissolved cholesterol. Their formation is linked to bile that is supersaturated with cholesterol, often related to factors like obesity, high-fat diets, and certain medications.
- Pigment Stones: These are smaller, darker stones made of bilirubin. Bilirubin is a pigment produced when the liver breaks down red blood cells. These stones are more common in individuals with certain medical conditions, such as liver cirrhosis, biliary tract infections, or inherited blood disorders like sickle cell anemia.
- Mixed Stones: Many stones are a combination of both cholesterol and pigment.
By knowing the exact makeup of your stone, your doctor can provide more specific advice on dietary modifications (e.g., a low-fat diet for cholesterol stones) or further medical investigation (e.g., checking for blood disorders if pigment stones are found) to help prevent future complications, such as stones forming in the bile ducts.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The analysis helps your doctor understand why the stone formed. If it was a cholesterol stone, you may be at higher risk for other cholesterol-related issues. If it was a pigment stone, it might point to an underlying condition like liver disease or a blood disorder. This information is key to preventing future complications.
This test is only performed on gallstones that have been surgically removed during a cholecystectomy. Your surgeon will give you the stone(s) in a dry, sterile container. You must then submit this container to the laboratory.
Cholesterol stones are the most common and are formed from excess cholesterol in the bile. Pigment stones are less common and are made of bilirubin, a waste product from the breakdown of red blood cells.
Stone analysis is a complex chemical and physical process. It involves washing, drying, weighing, and then chemically analyzing the stone's layers to determine its precise composition. This is a specialized, manual process in the diagnostic center that takes time.