Choledocholithiasis
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
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Overview
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Choledocholithiasis is the presence of gallstones in the common bile duct. This condition causes jaundice and liver cell damage, and is a medical emergency, requiring the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) procedure or surgical treatment.
A tendency for this disease can be inherited.
Cause
While stones can frequently pass through the common bile duct into the duodenum, some stones may be too large to passthrough the CBD and will cause an obstruction.
Complications
This obstruction leads to jaundice, elevation in alkaline phosphatase, increase in conjugated bilirubin in the blood and increase in cholesterol in the blood. It can also cause acute pancreatitis and ascending cholangitis.
Diagnosis
Doctors can use a blood test of alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin and cholesterol to diagnose choledocholithiasis.
However, ultrasound demonstrating an enlarged common bile duct is the test of choice.
Treatment
Treatment involves removing the stone using ERCP. Typically, the gallbladder is then removed to prevent a future occurrence of common bile duct obstruction.
