What is choledocholithiasis?
Choledocholithiasis is a medical term that refers to the presence of bile stones in common bile, which transmits the bile from the liver to the gallbladder and small intestine. In the bile, the bile stone can form or travel from the gallbladder to the pipeline. Stones cause blocking that can eventually lead to irritation, infection and scarring of the bile ducts. Choledocholithiasis can usually be solved by a gastroenterologist when the condition is discovered early. Stones that develop in bile are usually the result of bacterial infections, while stones that migrate from the gallbladder are usually accumulated cholesterol and calcium. The most important risk factors for the development of choledocholithiasis are women, obese and older than 60 years, although a person of any age and either sex may have gallstone.
In the early stages, choledocholithiasis may not cause any physical symptoms. As the stone grows and causes blockage, one is likely to experience sharp abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting and fever. OneThe zvlive can also lose his appetite and feel tired. Jaundice can deteriorate as blocking and overall blocking is the possibility of rupture, scarring and infection. A person who is experiencing possible symptoms of choledocholithiasis should see a doctor as soon as possible to avoid potentially life -threatening complications.
When a primary care doctor suspects choledocholithiasis, he will advance to the patient to a specialist for a more detailed evaluation. The gastroenterologist usually performs abdominal ultrasound that is looking for blocking and collects blood sample to check the presence of bile. The physician often performs another diagnostic test called endoscopic ripper cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) to determine the placement of the bile stone and check the rupture. During the ERCP, a long tube called the endoscope is inserted into the neck and is directed into the gallbladder to release the type of dye that can be detected on the X -ray.
Most cases of choledocholithiasis can also be treated with ERCP. The doctor feeds thin tools with endoscope to locate and break the blockage. To remove a very large stone or process that is not solved by ERCP, more invasive surgery may be necessary. After surgery, patients are usually given antibiotics and painkillers and are generally re -evaluated to make sure the gallbladder has not been damaged. A person who has bile stone is in the future exposed to a high risk of developing multiple stones, although drugs and frequent controls can prevent further instance of choledocholithiasis.