Gallstone disease medical therapy
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Gallstone disease Microchapters |
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Diagnosis |
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Treatment |
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Surgery |
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Case Studies |
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Gallstone disease medical therapy On the Web |
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American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Gallstone disease medical therapy |
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Risk calculators and risk factors for Gallstone disease medical therapy |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Nonoperative management is suboptimal (ursodiol, lithotripsy). Cholecystectomy is the therapy of choice.
Medical therapy
Cholesterol gallstones can sometimes be dissolved by oral ursodeoxycholic acid. Gallstones may recur however, once the drug is stopped. Obstruction of the common bile duct with gallstones can sometimes be relieved by endoscopic retrograde sphinceterotomy (ERS) following endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP). A common misconception is that the use of ultrasound (Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy) can be used to break up gallstones. Although this treatment is highly effective against kidney stones, it can only rarely be used to break up the softer and less brittle gallstones.