Gallstone disease pathophysiology

Jump to navigation Jump to search
https://https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPw3ot1M_o0%7C350}}

Gallstone disease Microchapters

Home

Patient Information

Overview

Historical Perspective

Classification

Pathophysiology

Causes

Differentiating Gallstone disease from other Diseases

Epidemiology and Demographics

Risk Factors

Screening

Natural History, Complications and Prognosis

Diagnosis

Diagnostic Study of Choice

History and Symptoms

Physical Examination

Laboratory Findings

Electrocardiogram

X Ray

CT

MRI

Ultrasound

Other Imaging Findings

Other Diagnostic Studies

Treatment

Medical Therapy

Surgery

Lithotripsy
Surgical management

Primary Prevention

Secondary Prevention

Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy

Future or Investigational Therapies

Case Studies

Case #1

Gallstone disease pathophysiology On the Web

Most recent articles

Most cited articles

Review articles

CME Programs

Powerpoint slides

Images

American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Gallstone disease pathophysiology

All Images
X-rays
Echo & Ultrasound
CT Images
MRI

Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov

US National Guidelines Clearinghouse

NICE Guidance

FDA on Gallstone disease pathophysiology

CDC on Gallstone disease pathophysiology

Gallstone disease pathophysiology in the news

Blogs on Gallstone disease pathophysiology

Directions to Hospitals Treating Gallstone disease

Risk calculators and risk factors for Gallstone disease pathophysiology

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Hadeel Maksoud M.D.[2]

Overview

It has long been noted that gallbladder stone formation is associated with bile supersaturation, and this still remains the most common cause for gallstone formation.[1]

Pathophysiology

Gall bladder opened to show numerous gallstones. Their brownish to greenish color suggest they are cholesterol calculi. Source: Wikimedia Commons[2]

Researchers believe that gallstones may be caused by a combination of factors, including:

  • Inherited body chemistry
  • Body weight
  • Gallbladder motility
  • Diet
  • Erythropoietic protoporphyria[3]

Cholesterol gallstones develop when bile contains too much cholesterol and not enough bile salts. The following factors also play a role:

  • Gallbladder contraction
  • Incomplete and infrequent emptying concentrates bile
  • Presence of proteins in the liver and bile causing either promotion or inhibition of cholesterol crystallization into gallstones
  • Increased levels of the estrogen hormone may increase cholesterol levels in bile and also decrease gallbladder movement

No clear relationship has been proven between diet and gallstone formation. However, low-fiber, high-cholesterol diets, and diets high in starchy foods have been suggested as contributing to gallstone formation. Other nutritional factors that may increase risk of gallstones include rapid weight loss, constipation, eating fewer meals per day, eating less fish, and low intakes of the nutrients folate, magnesium, calcium, and vitamin C.[4] On the other hand, wine and whole grain bread may decrease the risk of gallstones.[5]

Associated Conditions

Gross Pathology

On gross pathology, multiple small stones are commonly found or less commonly a solitary stone is seen. The smaller stones represent a higher morbidity since they can easily occlude the biliary tracts.[7]

Microscopic Pathology

On microscopic histopathological analysis, variable evidences of inflammation can be noted transmurally including neutrophils, which are characteristic in gallstone disease.[8]

References

  1. Wang HH, Portincasa P, Wang DQ (2008). "Molecular pathophysiology and physical chemistry of cholesterol gallstones". Front. Biosci. 13: 401–23. PMID 17981556.
  2. name="urlFile:Gallensteine 2006 03 28.JPG - Wikimedia Commons">"File:Gallensteine 2006 03 28.JPG - Wikimedia Commons".
  3. "Erythropoietic Protoporphyria". Merck Manual. Retrieved 2007-08-25.
  4. R.M. Ortega (1997). "Differences in diet and food habits between patients with gallstones and controls". Journal of the American College of Nutrition. 16: 88–95. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  5. European Journal Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 6: 585–593. 1995. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  6. Lv J, Yu C, Guo Y, Bian Z, Yang L, Chen Y, Li S, Huang Y, Fu Y, He P, Tang A, Chen J, Chen Z, Qi L, Li L (2017). "Gallstone Disease and the Risk of Type 2 Diabetes". Sci Rep. 7 (1): 15853. doi:10.1038/s41598-017-14801-2. PMID 29158491.
  7. Ansert, Sandra (2018). Textbook of diagnostic sonography. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. ISBN 978-0323353755.
  8. Fisher, M. M. (1979). Gallstones. Boston, MA: Springer US. ISBN 1461570662.

Template:WH Template:WS