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Choledocholithiasis

Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Digestive system
Digestive system
Kidney cyst with gallstones, CT scan
Kidney cyst with gallstones, CT scan
Choledocholithiasis
Choledocholithiasis
Gallbladder
Gallbladder
Gallbladder
Gallbladder
Bile pathway
Bile pathway

Alternative Names    Return to top

Gallstone in the bile duct; Bile duct stone; Bile calculus; Biliary calculus

Definition    Return to top

Choledocholithiasis is the presence of a gallstone in the common bile duct. The stone may consist of bile pigments or calcium and cholesterol salts.

Causes    Return to top

About 15% of people with gallstones will develop stones in the common bile duct, the small tube that carries bile from the gallbladder to the intestine.

Risk factors include a previous medical history of gallstones. However, choledocholithiasis can occur in people who have had their gallbladder removed.

Symptoms    Return to top

Symptoms usually do not occur unless the stone blocks the common bile duct. Symptoms that may occur include:

Exams and Tests    Return to top

Tests that show the location of stones in the bile duct include the following:

Your doctor may order the following blood tests:

Treatment    Return to top

The goal of treatment is relieve the blockage.

Treatment may involve:

Outlook (Prognosis)    Return to top

Blockage and infection caused by stones in the biliary tract can be life threatening. However, with prompt diagnosis and treatment, the outcome is usually very good.

Possible Complications    Return to top

When to Contact a Medical Professional    Return to top

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if abdominal pain with or without fever develops that is not attributable to other causes, if jaundice develops, or if other symptoms suggestive of choledocholithiasis occur.

References    Return to top

Verma D. EUS vs MRCP for detection of choledocholithiasis. Gastrointest Endosc. Aug 2006; 64(2): 248-54.

Chari RS, Shah SA. Biliary System. In: Townsend CM, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery, 18th ed. St. Louis, M0: WB Saunders; 2008: chap. 54.

Diseases of the Gallbladder and Bile Ducts. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007: chap. 159.

Update Date: 6/3/2008

Updated by: Linda Vorvick, MD, Seattle Site Coordinator, Lecturer, Pathophysiology, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

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