An x-ray may be helpful in the diagnosis of gallstone disease. Findings on an x-ray suggestive of gallstones include cholesterol and pigment radio-opaque stones found in the gallbladder or biliary tree within the common bile duct or the cystic duct.

• Plain abdominal x-rays rarely detect gallstones since only 10% of gallstones contain enough calcium within them to be sufficiently radioopaque and be visible on a radiograph.^[1][2]
• The majority of stones are therefore, radiolucent.

• X-rays are used to examine the liver and bile ducts.
• This is accomplished by the insertion of a thin needle through the skin and into the liver carrying a contrast medium to help to see blockages in liver and bile ducts.