Fatty liver can be easy to miss.

Many people have no obvious symptoms and only discover changes in their liver after a blood test or scan carried out for another reason. Others may notice persistent tiredness or discomfort underneath the ribs on the right-hand side.

Fatty liver means that excess fat has accumulated within the liver. When liver fat occurs alongside metabolic risk factors, healthcare professionals may use the term metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). You may also still see the older term non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) used in some NHS and clinical information.

A liver ultrasound can assess the size, shape and appearance of the liver and may identify changes consistent with fatty liver. However, a standard ultrasound cannot tell you how well the liver is functioning and does not reliably measure liver fibrosis or scarring.

This guide explains the possible symptoms and causes of fatty liver, what a liver ultrasound can show, how liver blood tests differ and when further assessment may be needed.

VitalScan offers a dedicated Liver Ultrasound service in Milton Keynes for people who need structural imaging of the liver.

Fatty liver occurs when excess fat accumulates within liver cells.

A small amount of liver fat may not cause symptoms or significant problems. However, persistent fat accumulation can sometimes be associated with inflammation and, in a smaller proportion of people, progressive liver damage.

The term steatotic liver disease (SLD) is now used as a broad description for conditions involving excess liver fat.

MASLD refers more specifically to steatotic liver disease associated with metabolic risk factors such as diabetes, excess weight, high blood pressure or abnormal cholesterol levels.

Fat accumulation can also occur for other reasons, including alcohol use, certain medicines and some medical conditions. This is why finding fat in the liver does not always explain its underlying cause.

Fatty liver can exist at different stages.

These may include:

• Steatosis: excess fat is present in the liver without significant inflammation.
• MASH: metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis, where liver fat is accompanied by inflammation and liver-cell injury.
• Fibrosis: repeated or ongoing injury leads to the development of scar tissue.
• Cirrhosis: advanced scarring changes the normal structure of the liver.

Not everyone with fatty liver progresses through these stages.

For many people, fatty liver remains at an early stage. The purpose of assessment is therefore not simply to identify liver fat, but to consider whether there are signs or risk factors that suggest further investigation may be needed.

One of the difficulties with fatty liver disease is that it often causes no obvious symptoms.

Many people only become aware of it after:

• Routine blood tests
• An abdominal ultrasound
• Imaging performed for another reason
• A general health assessment

When symptoms do occur, they can include:

• Persistent tiredness
• Feeling generally unwell
• Discomfort in the upper-right abdomen
• A dull ache beneath the right-hand ribs

These symptoms are not specific to fatty liver.

Tiredness and upper abdominal discomfort can occur for many reasons, which means symptoms alone cannot confirm whether fat has accumulated in the liver.

When discomfort is associated with fatty liver, it is usually described in the upper-right side of the abdomen, underneath the ribs where the liver is located.

It may feel more like a dull ache, pressure or discomfort than severe pain.

However, pain in this area can also arise from the gallbladder, stomach, bowel, muscles and other abdominal structures.

If you have severe, sudden or rapidly worsening abdominal pain, it should not automatically be assumed to be caused by fatty liver.

Yes.

Fatty liver is commonly discovered in people who otherwise feel well.

Someone may have liver fat without experiencing pain, tiredness or any other noticeable symptoms.

This is one reason why fatty liver is sometimes identified unexpectedly during an ultrasound or after abnormal liver-related blood results.

Feeling well does not necessarily mean that liver fat is absent, just as having symptoms does not automatically mean fatty liver is the cause.

Metabolic health is one of the main factors associated with fatty liver.

The likelihood may be higher in people with:

• Excess weight, particularly around the waist
• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol or triglycerides
• Metabolic syndrome
• Low levels of physical activity
• Increasing age

However, body weight alone does not determine whether someone can develop fatty liver.

Yes.

Although excess weight increases the likelihood of metabolic fatty liver disease, people who are not overweight can still develop liver fat.

Other contributing factors may include:

• Type 2 diabetes
• Abnormal cholesterol or triglyceride levels
• Genetics
• Certain medicines
• Other metabolic conditions
• Some underlying medical conditions

Alcohol can also contribute to liver fat and liver injury.

Because several different factors can affect the liver, the cause should be considered alongside medical history, medicines, alcohol intake and other health information rather than based on weight alone.

There is no single test that answers every question about liver health.

Assessment may involve a combination of:

• Medical history
• Alcohol history
• Medication review
• Liver blood tests
• Liver ultrasound
• Blood pressure and metabolic assessment
• Diabetes or blood glucose testing
• Cholesterol testing
• Fibrosis assessment
• Further imaging when clinically appropriate

Blood tests and imaging provide different types of information.

A blood test cannot directly show liver fat, while an ultrasound cannot directly measure how effectively the liver is performing all of its functions.

A liver ultrasound scan can identify changes in the appearance of the liver that may be consistent with fatty infiltration.

Ultrasound uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of internal structures and does not use ionising radiation.

During a liver ultrasound, the sonographer can assess features such as:

• Liver size
• Liver shape and contour
• Liver texture
• Changes consistent with fatty liver
• Visible cysts or focal abnormalities
• Bile ducts
• Relevant blood vessels
• Nearby upper-abdominal structures where appropriate

VitalScan’s Liver Ultrasound provides structural imaging of the liver and surrounding areas where clinically relevant.

Not completely.

Conventional ultrasound can identify changes associated with fatty liver, particularly when fat accumulation is more established.

However, mild or early steatosis may not always be visible on a standard ultrasound.

A normal ultrasound therefore does not necessarily exclude every degree of liver fat or every type of liver disease.

Results should be considered alongside symptoms, blood-test results, medical history and metabolic risk factors.

Fat changes the way liver tissue reflects ultrasound waves.

A sonographer or reporting clinician may describe the liver as having increased echogenicity, which means it appears brighter than expected on ultrasound.

The report may use terms such as:

• Fatty change
• Fatty infiltration
• Hepatic steatosis
• Increased liver echogenicity

These descriptions should always be interpreted as part of the wider clinical picture.

An ultrasound finding of fatty liver does not automatically mean that significant liver damage or cirrhosis is present.

A standard liver ultrasound may suggest the presence of fatty liver, but it has limitations when determining severity.

Some ultrasound reports may describe appearances as mild, moderate or severe. However, conventional ultrasound does not precisely quantify the amount of fat in the liver and is not designed to accurately stage fibrosis.

This distinction matters because liver fat and liver scarring are not the same thing.

Someone can have fatty liver without advanced fibrosis, while fibrosis risk may require separate assessment.

A standard ultrasound may identify structural changes associated with more advanced liver disease, but it does not reliably measure the extent of fibrosis.

If liver scarring needs to be assessed, further investigations may include:

• Blood-based fibrosis scores
• Enhanced Liver Fibrosis testing
• Transient elastography or FibroScan
• Other specialist imaging
• Hepatology assessment

NICE recommends assessing fibrosis risk in people with fatty liver where appropriate rather than relying on routine liver blood tests alone.

If a liver ultrasound shows fatty change, your GP or another healthcare professional may therefore consider whether additional fibrosis assessment is needed.

A liver ultrasound and a liver blood test answer different questions.

What Does a Liver Ultrasound Check?

A liver ultrasound mainly looks at structure.

It may assess:

• Liver size
• Liver shape
• Liver texture
• Fatty liver changes
• Cysts
• Some focal abnormalities
• Bile ducts
• Relevant blood vessels
• Nearby upper-abdominal structures

It does not directly measure how well the liver is carrying out all of its normal functions.

What Do Liver Blood Tests Check?

Liver-related blood tests look at biochemical markers associated with liver-cell injury, bile flow and aspects of liver function.

Depending on the test panel, this may include markers such as liver enzymes, bilirubin, albumin and other liver-related measurements.

VitalScan offers a dedicated Liver Health Blood Test for people who have been advised to assess liver-related blood markers.

Blood tests cannot directly show fat within the liver.

This is why an ultrasound and a blood test should not be treated as interchangeable investigations.

Yes.

Normal routine liver blood tests do not necessarily rule out fatty liver.

Some people with hepatic steatosis have liver-related blood results within the normal range.

NICE advises against using routine liver blood tests alone to exclude fatty liver or assess whether advanced fibrosis is present.

A person may therefore have:

Normal liver blood tests + fatty liver on imaging

or

Abnormal liver blood tests + no clear fatty change on ultrasound

The results need to be interpreted together with medical history and other clinical information.

Not necessarily.

Simple steatosis means that excess fat has accumulated within liver cells.

For many people, this does not automatically mean that advanced liver damage is present.

However, in some people, liver fat is associated with inflammation. Over time, ongoing inflammation and injury can contribute to fibrosis and eventually more advanced liver disease.

This is why assessment focuses on both the presence of liver fat and the person’s wider risk of liver scarring.

An ultrasound finding of fatty liver is usually one part of the assessment rather than the final answer.

Your report may need to be considered alongside:

• Liver blood-test results
• Alcohol intake
• Medicines
• Weight and waist measurement
• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol or triglycerides
• Blood glucose or diabetes status
• Other metabolic risk factors
• Family and medical history

A healthcare professional can then decide whether further testing is appropriate.

For some people, management may focus on metabolic health and lifestyle factors.

Others may need additional testing for fibrosis or investigation of another possible cause of abnormal liver findings.

An ultrasound itself does not determine treatment.

An ultrasound finding of fatty liver is usually one part of the assessment rather than the final answer.

Your report may need to be considered alongside:

• Liver blood-test results
• Alcohol intake
• Medicines
• Weight and waist measurement
• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol or triglycerides
• Blood glucose or diabetes status
• Other metabolic risk factors
• Family and medical history

A healthcare professional can then decide whether further testing is appropriate.

For some people, management may focus on metabolic health and lifestyle factors.

Others may need additional testing for fibrosis or investigation of another possible cause of abnormal liver findings.

An ultrasound itself does not determine treatment.

Fatty liver can often improve, particularly at an earlier stage.

Management usually focuses on the factors contributing to fat accumulation and wider metabolic health.

Depending on the individual, this may involve:

• Weight management where appropriate
• Regular physical activity
• A balanced diet
• Managing diabetes
• Managing cholesterol
• Managing blood pressure
• Reviewing alcohol intake
• Reviewing medicines where clinically appropriate

Changes should be appropriate for your individual health, particularly if you have existing medical conditions or take regular medicines.

If more advanced liver disease is suspected, management may require specialist assessment.

A liver ultrasound can provide information about more than fatty liver alone.

Depending on the examination and findings, it may assess:

• Liver size and contour
• Liver texture
• Simple liver cysts
• Some focal liver abnormalities
• Dilated bile ducts
• Relevant blood vessels
• Gallbladder abnormalities

VitalScan’s liver ultrasound can also include assessment of the gallbladder where clinically appropriate.

This can be particularly useful because discomfort beneath the right ribs is not always caused by the liver.

Gallstones and other gallbladder problems can produce symptoms in a similar area.

Where gallbladder symptoms are the main concern, a targeted gallbladder ultrasound may be more appropriate.

Fatty liver itself often causes no symptoms and does not usually require emergency treatment simply because it has been identified on a scan.

However, some symptoms should not wait for a routine private ultrasound.

Seek emergency medical help

Call 999 or go to A&E if you:

• Vomit blood
• Develop black, tar-like stools and feel faint or very unwell
• Become newly confused or unusually difficult to wake
• Develop severe symptoms that appear life-threatening

Seek urgent medical advice

Contact your GP urgently or NHS 111 if you develop:

• New yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes
• Significant or rapidly increasing abdominal swelling
• Severe or rapidly worsening abdominal pain
• Persistent vomiting
• A marked deterioration in how you feel

A routine private scan should never delay urgent medical assessment.

A liver ultrasound is performed externally across the upper abdomen.

You will usually lie on an examination couch while ultrasound gel is applied to your skin.

The sonographer then moves a handheld ultrasound probe across the upper abdomen to create images of the liver.

During the examination, you may be asked to:

• Change position
• Take a deep breath
• Hold your breath briefly

Ultrasound does not use ionising radiation.

After the scan, the images are reviewed and a written report is provided according to the clinic’s reporting pathway.

Preparation depends on the exact ultrasound examination being performed.

For some upper-abdominal scans, you may be asked not to eat for a period beforehand. This can help improve imaging of structures including the gallbladder and upper abdomen.

Always follow the preparation instructions provided with your appointment rather than fasting for longer than advised.

You can also read our guide on how to prepare for an ultrasound.

No.

Ultrasound uses sound waves to create images.

Unlike X-rays and CT scans, a standard ultrasound examination does not expose you to ionising radiation.

If you have been advised to investigate your liver, have abnormal results that need structural imaging or need further assessment of a possible fatty liver finding, VitalScan offers private Liver Ultrasound in Milton Keynes.

The scan can assess:

• Liver size and shape
• Liver texture
• Changes consistent with fatty liver
• Visible cysts and other structural abnormalities
• Bile ducts
• Relevant vessels
• Nearby upper-abdominal structures where appropriate

Your liver ultrasound report can then be shared with your GP, gastroenterologist or another healthcare professional if further interpretation or follow-up is required.

Explore VitalScan Liver Ultrasound

A liver ultrasound may be useful when structural imaging of the liver is required.

It may help identify changes consistent with fatty liver, but it does not measure liver function and cannot reliably assess the full extent of fibrosis on its own.

If your main question relates to liver enzymes or other blood markers, a Liver Health Blood Test provides different information.

Some people may need both imaging and blood testing.

If you are unsure which investigation is appropriate, speak to a healthcare professional or contact the VitalScan team before booking.

Check our latest offer and explore our Liver Ultrasound service.

Explore Liver Ultrasound.

Fatty liver is common and often develops without obvious symptoms.

A liver ultrasound can provide useful information about the structure and appearance of the liver and may identify changes consistent with fatty liver.

Liver blood tests provide different information and may help assess biochemical markers related to liver health.

Neither investigation answers every question on its own.

If fatty liver is identified, the result should be considered alongside your medical history, metabolic health and relevant blood tests. Further assessment may sometimes be needed to understand the risk of fibrosis or investigate another underlying cause.

VitalScan offers dedicated Liver Ultrasound and Liver Health Blood Test services in Milton Keynes.

Concerned About Fatty Liver or Your Liver Health?

Check our latest offer and explore Liver Ultrasound

Liver Ultrasound at VitalScan

If blood testing has also been recommended:

Liver Health Blood Test

Before attending your scan:

How to Prepare for an Ultrasound

This article provides general information and does not replace personalised medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. A routine private scan should not delay urgent or emergency medical assessment.

Pain underneath your ribs can be difficult to understand.

It may appear suddenly, become intense for a period of time or spread towards your back or right shoulder. You may also feel sick or experience vomiting.

For some people, these symptoms can be linked to gallstones.

Gallstones are common, and many people have them without experiencing symptoms. Problems are more likely when a stone interferes with the normal movement of bile or causes inflammation around the gallbladder.

When gallstone disease is suspected, an ultrasound scan is one of the main first-line investigations. NICE recommends liver function blood tests and ultrasound when gallstones are suspected.

This guide explains what gallstones are, the symptoms they may cause, possible complications and when a gallbladder ultrasound may help provide more information.

If you are experiencing recurring, non-emergency symptoms, you can explore VitalScan’s private ultrasound scans.

Gallstones are hardened deposits that form inside the gallbladder.

The gallbladder is a small organ underneath the liver. It stores bile, a fluid produced by the liver that helps your body digest fats.

Gallstones can vary considerably in size and number. Some people develop a single stone, while others may have several.

Many people never know they have them.

Gallstones may sometimes be discovered during imaging performed for another reason and never cause any problems.

Symptoms become more likely when a stone obstructs the outlet of the gallbladder, moves into a bile duct or contributes to inflammation.

The important question is therefore not simply whether gallstones are present, but whether they are causing symptoms or complications.

Many people with gallstones experience no symptoms.

When symptoms do develop, pain in the upper abdomen is one of the most common complaints.

Possible gallstone symptoms include:

• Pain beneath the ribs on the right-hand side
• Pain across the upper-middle abdomen
• Severe or persistent abdominal pain
• Feeling sick
• Vomiting
• Pain spreading towards the back
• Pain around the right shoulder
• Recurring episodes of similar pain

Gallstone-related pain can become severe and remain relatively constant rather than feeling like a brief stomach cramp.

The NHS describes gallstone pain as potentially lasting longer than 30 minutes and sometimes continuing for several hours.

However, these symptoms are not unique to gallstones.

Upper abdominal pain can also come from the stomach, liver, pancreas, muscles and other nearby structures.

Symptoms alone cannot confirm whether gallstones are present.

The typical gallstone pain location is underneath the ribs on the right-hand side or across the upper-middle abdomen.

The discomfort may also travel towards:

• The upper back
• The right shoulder
• The area around the right shoulder blade

This explains why some people experiencing gallstones and back pain may not initially realise that the discomfort could be linked to an abdominal organ.

Pain predominantly on the left side is less typical of gallstones and may have many other causes.

The location and pattern of pain can provide useful clinical information, but neither can confirm its cause without appropriate assessment.

Biliary colic is the term used for pain that can occur when a gallstone temporarily obstructs the cystic duct or the outlet of the gallbladder.

The pain may begin suddenly and become intense.

It is usually felt in the upper-right or upper-middle abdomen and may continue for 30 minutes or several hours.

If the obstruction clears, the pain may settle. This is why someone can experience a significant episode of pain and later feel relatively normal again.

If similar episodes repeatedly return, it is worth seeking medical assessment rather than treating each episode as unexplained stomach discomfort.

Gallstones form when substances within bile begin to develop into solid deposits.

There is not always one clear cause of gallstones in an individual person.

Factors associated with a higher likelihood of developing gallstones include:

• Increasing age
• Being female
• Obesity
• Rapid weight loss
• Pregnancy
• Diabetes
• Crohn’s disease and some other digestive conditions
• Family history

Having one or more risk factors does not mean you will necessarily develop gallstones.

Gallstones can also occur without an obvious risk factor.

Women have a higher likelihood of developing gallstones than men, and pregnancy is also associated with an increased risk.

However, gallstone symptoms in women are generally similar to those experienced by men.

These may include upper abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and pain spreading towards the back or right shoulder.

Risk factors provide useful context, but they cannot determine whether gallstones are actually present.

Gallstones do not always remain inside the gallbladder.

A stone can sometimes move into the common bile duct, which carries bile towards the intestine.

A blocked bile duct may cause symptoms such as:

• Upper abdominal pain
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes
• Dark urine
• Pale stools
• Itching
• Feeling generally unwell

Gallstones in the bile duct can require further investigation and treatment.

If ultrasound does not identify a common bile duct stone but other findings continue to suggest an obstruction, further imaging such as magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography, or MRCP, may sometimes be recommended.

Jaundice, particularly when accompanied by abdominal pain or feeling unwell, requires prompt medical assessment rather than waiting for a routine private scan.

Cholecystitis means inflammation of the gallbladder.

Acute cholecystitis commonly develops when a gallstone blocks the cystic duct, preventing bile from leaving the gallbladder normally.

Symptoms can include:

• Persistent upper-right abdominal pain
• Tenderness underneath the right ribs
• Fever
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Feeling generally unwell

Gallstones and cholecystitis are therefore not the same thing.

You can have gallstones without having gallbladder inflammation, and many people with gallstones experience no symptoms.

Acute cholecystitis requires medical assessment and should not be managed by waiting for a routine ultrasound appointment.

Gallstones can sometimes contribute to acute pancreatitis.

This can happen when a gallstone interferes with drainage around the pancreas.

Symptoms can include sudden, severe upper abdominal pain that may spread towards the back, often alongside vomiting or feeling significantly unwell.

Acute pancreatitis requires urgent medical assessment.

If your pain is severe or rapidly worsening, do not wait for a routine private ultrasound.

There is no single symptom that confirms gallstones.

Assessment may involve:

• Your symptoms and their pattern
• Your medical history
• Physical examination
• Liver function blood tests
• Ultrasound
• Further imaging where appropriate

NICE recommends liver function tests and ultrasound as first-line investigations when gallstone disease is suspected.

These investigations provide different types of information.

Liver function blood tests may show changes that can occur when bile flow is obstructed or when the liver and biliary system are affected.

An ultrasound provides real-time images of the physical structure of the gallbladder and surrounding area.

Considering these findings together can help provide a clearer clinical picture.

A blood test cannot directly show a gallstone.

However, liver function tests may identify changes associated with disruption to normal bile flow.

For example, bilirubin and certain liver enzymes may become abnormal when the biliary system is affected.

Blood-test results still need to be interpreted alongside your symptoms and other investigations.

If liver function needs investigating alongside imaging, you can learn more about VitalScan’s Liver Health Blood Test.

Yes.

Ultrasound is one of the main first-line imaging investigations used when gallstones are suspected.

A gall bladder ultrasound scan uses high-frequency sound waves to create real-time images of the gallbladder and surrounding structures.

It does not use ionising radiation.

During the examination, ultrasound may help identify:

• Gallstones inside the gallbladder
• Changes in the gallbladder wall
• Findings associated with inflammation
• Enlargement or changes involving the bile ducts
• Relevant changes in nearby structures

Ultrasound provides useful structural information, but scan findings still need to be considered alongside symptoms, blood tests and other clinical information.

When assessing the gall bladder on ultrasound, the clinician is looking at more than whether a stone is present.

A normal gallbladder typically appears as a fluid-filled structure underneath the liver.

The examination allows the clinician to assess its shape and appearance and look for findings such as gallstones or changes involving the gallbladder wall.

The bile ducts may also be assessed where appropriate.

An individual ultrasound image should not be interpreted by itself.

The complete examination and written report are needed to determine whether a finding may be significant.

Gall bladder ultrasound images provide real-time structural information about the gallbladder and surrounding area.

Depending on the reason for your examination, they may help show:

Gallstones

Gallstones inside the gallbladder can often be visualised using ultrasound.

Gallbladder Wall Changes

Changes in the appearance or thickness of the gallbladder wall may sometimes occur with inflammation.

Bile-Duct Changes

Ultrasound may identify enlargement or other changes affecting the bile ducts.

Further investigation may sometimes be recommended depending on your symptoms, blood-test results and ultrasound findings.

Surrounding Structures

Other relevant structures within the upper abdomen may also be assessed where appropriate.

An ultrasound cannot identify every possible cause of abdominal pain. This is why the findings need to be considered within the wider clinical picture.

Can a Gall Bladder Ultrasound Detect Cancer?

People searching for gall bladder cancer ultrasound may wonder whether the same examination used to investigate gallstones can identify cancer.

Ultrasound may sometimes identify an abnormality involving the gallbladder that requires further investigation.

However, an ultrasound cannot confirm gallbladder cancer on its own.

If there is a concerning finding, further investigations such as CT, MRI, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) or, in some circumstances, biopsy may be recommended.

A routine private gallbladder ultrasound should therefore not be considered a stand-alone cancer screening test.

If there is a specific clinical concern about cancer, following the appropriate medical referral and diagnostic pathway is important.

An ultrasound does not always provide the complete explanation for your symptoms.

If no gallstones are identified, this may mean that:

• Gallstones are not causing your symptoms
• Another structure within the abdomen needs consideration
• Blood-test findings require further assessment
• The bile ducts need additional imaging
• A different investigation may be more appropriate

For example, NICE recommends considering MRCP when common bile duct stones remain suspected despite ultrasound, particularly where the bile duct is enlarged or liver function test results are abnormal.

A normal gallbladder ultrasound therefore does not mean that recurring or unexplained symptoms should simply be ignored.

Your next step depends on the scan findings, symptoms and wider clinical picture.

A gallbladder ultrasound is performed externally across your upper abdomen.

You will normally lie on an examination couch while a small amount of ultrasound gel is applied to your skin.

A handheld probe is then moved across the upper-right part of your abdomen to obtain images of the gallbladder and surrounding structures.

You may be asked to:

• Change position
• Take a deeper breath
• Hold your breath for a few seconds

These small adjustments can help the clinician obtain clearer views.

The examination does not use radiation and is generally painless, although you may feel some pressure from the probe if the area is already tender.

You can learn more about the process on VitalScan’s private ultrasound scan service page.

Your gall bladder ultrasound prep may include fasting before the appointment.

For some abdominal ultrasound examinations, fasting can help the gallbladder remain distended and make it easier to obtain useful images.

Preparation requirements depend on the exact examination you are having.

Follow the instructions provided when your appointment is arranged rather than deciding how long to fast based on general information online.

For more information, read VitalScan’s guide on how to prepare for an ultrasound scan.

Finding gallstones does not automatically mean treatment will be necessary.

Gallstones found in an otherwise normal gallbladder that have never caused symptoms often do not require treatment.

If the findings appear to fit with recurring pain or if there are signs of complications, the report may need further clinical review.

What happens next can depend on:

• Your symptoms
• How frequently episodes occur
• Where the stones are located
• Whether inflammation is present
• Whether the bile ducts are affected
• Your wider medical history

The ultrasound report provides important structural information, but treatment decisions are not made from the scan alone.

Gallstones treatment depends on whether the stones are causing symptoms or complications.

If gallstones are not causing problems, treatment may not be necessary.

When gallstones repeatedly cause significant pain, inflammation or other complications, removal of the gallbladder may be recommended.

This operation is called a cholecystectomy and is commonly performed using keyhole surgery.

Gallstones that have moved into the common bile duct may require a different approach, such as an endoscopic procedure called ERCP.

Treatment decisions take into account the location of the stones, symptoms, complications and wider clinical information rather than simply the number or size of gallstones.

A private gallbladder ultrasound is designed to investigate appropriate non-emergency symptoms.

It is not a replacement for urgent medical assessment.

If abdominal pain lasts longer than 30 minutes, seek urgent advice from your GP or NHS 111.

Call 999 or go to A&E if you experience:

• Sudden, severe abdominal pain
• Severe pain that spreads towards your back with vomiting
• A very high temperature or significant shivering
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes
• Severe or rapidly worsening symptoms
• Feeling acutely or seriously unwell

These symptoms can occur with complications such as acute cholecystitis, bile-duct obstruction or acute pancreatitis.

If you are unsure how urgently you need medical attention, contact NHS 111.

Recurring pain beneath your right ribs can be frustrating when you do not know what is causing it.

A private gallbladder ultrasound cannot explain every type of abdominal pain. However, when the gallbladder is the clinical concern, ultrasound can provide useful structural information.

VitalScan provides private ultrasound examinations in Milton Keynes, including gallbladder imaging.

The scan can assess the gallbladder for gallstones and other structural changes without using ionising radiation.

You will receive a written report that can be shared with your GP or another healthcare professional if further assessment is required.

You do not need to work out the cause yourself.

If your symptoms are recurring and are not an emergency, a gallbladder ultrasound may provide more information about whether gallstones or another structural change could be contributing.

Explore private ultrasound scans at VitalScan

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