The biliary examination process – imaging examinations of the gallbladder and the bile ducts are performed on an empty stomach.
Ultrasound, CT or MRI are highly effective at detecting diseases of the gallbladder and the bile ducts.
Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) is also performed on an empty stomach.
It involves swallowing a fibre-optic instrument through which the bile ducts can be examined and certain therapeutic procedures carried out.
The biliary examination is uncomfortable, but carries a much lower risk than abdominal surgery.
The bile-system function tests are less invasive, but time-consuming methods.
