What do you mean by cholelithiasis?

Cholelithiasis involves the presence of gallstones (see the image below), which are concretions that form in the biliary tract, usually in the gallbladder. Choledocholithiasis refers to the presence of one or more gallstones in the common bile duct (CBD). Treatment of gallstones depends on the stage of disease.

What is the cause of Choledocholithiasis?

What causes choledocholithiasis? Choledocholithiasis occurs when a stone blocks the bile flow through the common bile duct. Most often, gallstones form in the gallbladder and then migrate to the common bile duct, where they get stuck.

What happens if you have cholelithiasis?

If a gallstone lodges in a duct and causes a blockage, the resulting signs and symptoms may include: Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the upper right portion of your abdomen. Sudden and rapidly intensifying pain in the center of your abdomen, just below your breastbone. Back pain between your shoulder blades.

What is cholelithiasis and the symptoms?

Cholelithiasis is the presence of one or more calculi (gallstones) in the gallbladder. In developed countries, about 10% of adults and 20% of people > 65 years have gallstones. Gallstones tend to be asymptomatic. The most common symptom is biliary colic; gallstones do not cause dyspepsia or fatty food intolerance.

Can you remove gallstones without surgery?

Stones in the common bile duct can be removed without surgery by using a scope. Removal of the gallbladder requires surgery, which is typically done laparoscopically (a minimally invasive surgical procedure).

Who is at risk for cholelithiasis?

Men older than the age of 60 and women between the ages of 20 and 60 are at increased risk of developing gallstones. Pregnant women are more likely to have gallstones with symptoms.

Is choledocholithiasis painful?

Typical signs and symptoms of choledocholithiasis include abdominal pain that is episodic but constant in character, localized in the right upper quadrant, epigastrium, or both and may radiate to the right side; nausea and vomiting are common and tend not to relieve the pain; anorexia; icterus; and dark urine and …

Is choledocholithiasis an emergency?

There are few, if any, noticeable symptoms of choledocholithiasis, unless the stone blocks the common bile duct. If blockage and/or infection does occur, it can be life-threatening.

What does passing gallstones feel like?

When they try to pass through the tiny bile duct to the small intestine, inflammation and severe pain set in. Lasting from a few minutes to a few hours, the pain can feel like indigestion or similar to a feeling of fullness.

Can you live with gallstones forever?

Gallstones may go away on their own, but typically they do not and treatment may be required. Gallstones may not always cause symptoms, and in those cases, dietary changes may be all that is needed to prevent complications. People can live normal lives without a gallbladder.

What does choledocholithiasis mean in medical terms?

Choledocholithiasis. Choledocholithiasis denotes the presence of gallstones within the bile ducts (common hepatic duct / common bile duct).

How often is choledocholithiasis found in bile ducts?

Choledocholithiasis is relatively common, seen in 6-12% of patients who undergo cholecystectomy 2. Stones within the bile ducts are often asymptomatic and may be found incidentally, however, more frequently they lead to symptomatic presentation with:

What is the success rate for choledocholithiasis in adults?

Success rate exceeds 90%; up to 7% of patients have short-term complications (eg, bleeding, pancreatitis, infection). Long-term complications (eg, stone recurrence, fibrosis and subsequent duct stricture) are more common.

What kind of surgery is done for choledocholithiasis?

These treatments may include: 1 stone extraction. 2 fragmenting stones (lithotripsy). 3 surgery to remove the gallbladder and stones (cholecystectomy). 4 surgery that makes a cut into the common bile duct to remove stones or help them pass (sphincterotomy). 5 biliary stenting.