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[[Image:Gallstones.jpg|thumb|200px|left|[[Gall bladder]] opened to show numerous '''gallstones'''. Their brownish to greenish color suggest they are cholesterol [[Calculus (medicine)|calculi]]. Source: Wikimedia Commons<ref>name="urlFile:Gallensteine 2006 03 28.JPG - Wikimedia Commons">{{cite web |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gallensteine_2006_03_28.JPG |title=File:Gallensteine 2006 03 28.JPG - Wikimedia Commons |format= |work= |accessdate=}}</ref>]]
[[Image:Gallstones.jpg|thumb|200px|left|[[Gall bladder]] opened to show numerous '''gallstones'''. Their brownish to greenish color suggest they are cholesterol [[Calculus (medicine)|calculi]]. Source: Wikimedia Commons<ref>name="urlFile:Gallensteine 2006 03 28.JPG - Wikimedia Commons">{{cite web |url=https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Gallensteine_2006_03_28.JPG |title=File:Gallensteine 2006 03 28.JPG - Wikimedia Commons |format= |work= |accessdate=}}</ref>]]


It is understood that gallstone disease is caused by bile hypersaturation, meaning that the bile becomes over saturated with a particular substance more than can be dissolved in the bile.<ref>{{cite book | last = McPhee | first = Stephen | title = Pathophysiology of disease : an introduction to clinical medicine | publisher = McGraw-Hill Education Medical | location = New York | year = 2014 | isbn = 0071806008 }}</ref>
In general, gallstone disease can be caused by a lack of motility in the muscular wall of the gallbladder or excessive sphincter contraction, that prevents bile secretion. In this way the bile stagnates within the gallbladder and promotes the formation of stones. Rarely, the gallbladder may not properly fill with bile and so the bile is instead diverted from the gallbladder to the small bile duct which exacerbates the hypomotility and accelerates stone formation.<ref name="pmid22570746">{{cite journal |vauthors=Stinton LM, Shaffer EA |title=Epidemiology of gallbladder disease: cholelithiasis and cancer |journal=Gut Liver |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=172–87 |year=2012 |pmid=22570746 |pmc=3343155 |doi=10.5009/gnl.2012.6.2.172 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid12242178">{{cite journal |vauthors=Indar AA, Beckingham IJ |title=Acute cholecystitis |journal=BMJ |volume=325 |issue=7365 |pages=639–43 |year=2002 |pmid=12242178 |pmc=1124163 |doi= |url=}}</ref>  <ref>{{cite book | last = McPhee | first = Stephen | title = Pathophysiology of disease : an introduction to clinical medicine | publisher = McGraw-Hill Education Medical | location = New York | year = 2014 | isbn = 0071806008 }}</ref> The most common stone is usually formed from cholesterol. <
===Pathogenesis of Specific Stones===


One of the most important substances  is cholesterol. <ref name="pmid12242178">{{cite journal |vauthors=Indar AA, Beckingham IJ |title=Acute cholecystitis |journal=BMJ |volume=325 |issue=7365 |pages=639–43 |year=2002 |pmid=12242178 |pmc=1124163 |doi= |url=}}</ref> Cholesterol is an important compounds that is needed to form cell membranes and to produce steroid hormones in the body that can lead to stone formation.
====Cholesterol Stones====


The quantity of cholesterol must be balanced internally and the only way in which the body can rid itself of it is through the bile.  
Cholesterol is an important organic molecule that is needed for incorporation within cell membranes and to produce steroid hormones in the body. The quantity of cholesterol must be balanced internally, when cholesterol if in excess the only way in which the body can rid itself of it is through the formation of bile. The process of stone formation begins with the presence of biliary sludge.<ref name="pmid22570746">{{cite journal |vauthors=Stinton LM, Shaffer EA |title=Epidemiology of gallbladder disease: cholelithiasis and cancer |journal=Gut Liver |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=172–87 |year=2012 |pmid=22570746 |pmc=3343155 |doi=10.5009/gnl.2012.6.2.172 |url=}}</ref> Biliary sludge forms when antinucleating (crystallization-inhibiting) defence mechanisms fail to prevent cholesterol from precipitating or '''crystallizing''' in the bile whilst pronucleating (crystallization-promoting) mechanisms take the upper hand. Biliary sludge is a viscous mixture that consists of glycoproteins, calcium deposits and cholesterol crystals in the gallbladder. The sludge becomes hypersaturated and eventually stones form.<ref name="pmid17547709">{{cite journal |vauthors=Marschall HU, Einarsson C |title=Gallstone disease |journal=J. Intern. Med. |volume=261 |issue=6 |pages=529–42 |year=2007 |pmid=17547709 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2796.2007.01783.x |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid18579815">{{cite journal |vauthors=Strasberg SM |title=Clinical practice. Acute calculous cholecystitis |journal=N. Engl. J. Med. |volume=358 |issue=26 |pages=2804–11 |year=2008 |pmid=18579815 |doi=10.1056/NEJMcp0800929 |url=}}</ref>


The process of stone formation begins with the presence of biliary sludge.<ref name="pmid22570746">{{cite journal |vauthors=Stinton LM, Shaffer EA |title=Epidemiology of gallbladder disease: cholelithiasis and cancer |journal=Gut Liver |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=172–87 |year=2012 |pmid=22570746 |pmc=3343155 |doi=10.5009/gnl.2012.6.2.172 |url=}}</ref>
====Pigment Stones====


This thick compound consists of glycoproteins, calcium deposits, and cholesterol crystals in the gallbladder.  
Occasionally, gallstones are composed of bilirubin and are sometimes referred to as "pigment stones". Bilirubin is a byproduct of red blood cell breakdown. These stones are formed via two main pathways:


This precipitation is also called "crystallization".<ref name="pmid17547709">{{cite journal |vauthors=Marschall HU, Einarsson C |title=Gallstone disease |journal=J. Intern. Med. |volume=261 |issue=6 |pages=529–42 |year=2007 |pmid=17547709 |doi=10.1111/j.1365-2796.2007.01783.x |url=}}</ref>   
1. An infection of the biliary tract which predisposes to stone formation.


Usually there are antagonistic mechanisms in place that work to prevent cholesterol from precipitating or crystallizing in the bile. These include: pronucleating (crystallization-promoting) and antinucleating (crystallization-inhibiting) factors. one sentence
2. Bile, which is normally recycled after its secretion back from the small bowel and to the liver, may be enterohepatically cycled extensively. This may also cause the formation of a bilirubin stone. Pigment stones are seen more often in the Asian and African continents.<ref name="pmid11930198">{{cite journal |vauthors=Myers RP, Shaffer EA, Beck PL |title=Gallbladder polyps: epidemiology, natural history and management |journal=Can. J. Gastroenterol. |volume=16 |issue=3 |pages=187–94 |year=2002 |pmid=11930198 |doi= |url=}}</ref>


Furthermore, the lack of motility in the muscular wall of the gallbladder or the excessive sphincter contraction, that prevents bile secretion may also contribute to stone formation. <ref name="pmid18579815">{{cite journal |vauthors=Strasberg SM |title=Clinical practice. Acute calculous cholecystitis |journal=N. Engl. J. Med. |volume=358 |issue=26 |pages=2804–11 |year=2008 |pmid=18579815 |doi=10.1056/NEJMcp0800929 |url=}}</ref>
====Mixed Stones====


This causes bile to stagnate within the gallbladder.
There is a lack of evidence that supports a true pathology to explain how mixed stones are formed. However, there have been theories that include a combination of the mechanisms mentioned above.ref name="pmid12242178">{{cite journal |vauthors=Indar AA, Beckingham IJ |title=Acute cholecystitis |journal=BMJ |volume=325 |issue=7365 |pages=639–43 |year=2002 |pmid=12242178 |pmc=1124163 |doi= |url=}}</ref>  
 
Rarely, the gallbladder may not properly fill with bile and so the bile is instead diverted from the gallbladder to the small bile duct.  
 
This exacerbates the hypomotility and accelerates stone formation.<ref name="pmid22570746">{{cite journal |vauthors=Stinton LM, Shaffer EA |title=Epidemiology of gallbladder disease: cholelithiasis and cancer |journal=Gut Liver |volume=6 |issue=2 |pages=172–87 |year=2012 |pmid=22570746 |pmc=3343155 |doi=10.5009/gnl.2012.6.2.172 |url=}}</ref><ref name="pmid12242178">{{cite journal |vauthors=Indar AA, Beckingham IJ |title=Acute cholecystitis |journal=BMJ |volume=325 |issue=7365 |pages=639–43 |year=2002 |pmid=12242178 |pmc=1124163 |doi= |url=}}</ref>  
 
Pigment Stones:
 
Occasionally, gallstones are composed of bilirubin and can be referred to as "pigment stones". <ref name="pmid11930198">{{cite journal |vauthors=Myers RP, Shaffer EA, Beck PL |title=Gallbladder polyps: epidemiology, natural history and management |journal=Can. J. Gastroenterol. |volume=16 |issue=3 |pages=187–94 |year=2002 |pmid=11930198 |doi= |url=}}</ref>
 
Bilirubin is a byproduct of red blood cell breakdown.
 
These stones are formed via two main pathways:
 
1. An infection of the biliary tract can predispose to stone formation.
 
2. Bile is normally recycled after its secretion back from the small bowel and to the liver. If there is increased enterohepatic cycling this may also cause the formation of a bilirubin stone. Pigment stones are seen more often in the Asian and African continents.


===Associated Conditions===  
===Associated Conditions===  

Revision as of 21:59, 28 November 2017

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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]

In general, gallstone disease can be caused by a lack of motility in the muscular wall of the gallbladder or excessive sphincter contraction, that prevents bile secretion. In this way the bile stagnates within the gallbladder and promotes the formation of stones. Rarely, the gallbladder may not properly fill with bile and so the bile is instead diverted from the gallbladder to the small bile duct which exacerbates the hypomotility and accelerates stone formation.[3][4] [5] The most common stone is usually formed from cholesterol. <

Pathogenesis of Specific Stones

Cholesterol Stones

Cholesterol is an important organic molecule that is needed for incorporation within cell membranes and to produce steroid hormones in the body. The quantity of cholesterol must be balanced internally, when cholesterol if in excess the only way in which the body can rid itself of it is through the formation of bile. The process of stone formation begins with the presence of biliary sludge.[3] Biliary sludge forms when antinucleating (crystallization-inhibiting) defence mechanisms fail to prevent cholesterol from precipitating or crystallizing in the bile whilst pronucleating (crystallization-promoting) mechanisms take the upper hand. Biliary sludge is a viscous mixture that consists of glycoproteins, calcium deposits and cholesterol crystals in the gallbladder. The sludge becomes hypersaturated and eventually stones form.[6][7]

Pigment Stones

Occasionally, gallstones are composed of bilirubin and are sometimes referred to as "pigment stones". Bilirubin is a byproduct of red blood cell breakdown. These stones are formed via two main pathways:

1. An infection of the biliary tract which predisposes to stone formation.

2. Bile, which is normally recycled after its secretion back from the small bowel and to the liver, may be enterohepatically cycled extensively. This may also cause the formation of a bilirubin stone. Pigment stones are seen more often in the Asian and African continents.[8]

Mixed Stones

There is a lack of evidence that supports a true pathology to explain how mixed stones are formed. However, there have been theories that include a combination of the mechanisms mentioned above.ref name="pmid12242178">Indar AA, Beckingham IJ (2002). "Acute cholecystitis". BMJ. 325 (7365): 639–43. PMC 1124163. PMID 12242178.</ref>


Associated Conditions

On the other hand, wine and whole grain bread may decrease the risk of gallstones.[11]

Gross Pathology

Gall bladder opened to show numerous gallstones. Source: Wikimedia Commons[12]


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.[13]

Microscopic Pathology

On microscopic histopathological analysis, variable evidences of inflammation can be noted transmurally including neutrophils, which are characteristic in gallstone disease.[14]

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. 3.0 3.1 Stinton LM, Shaffer EA (2012). "Epidemiology of gallbladder disease: cholelithiasis and cancer". Gut Liver. 6 (2): 172–87. doi:10.5009/gnl.2012.6.2.172. PMC 3343155. PMID 22570746.
  4. Indar AA, Beckingham IJ (2002). "Acute cholecystitis". BMJ. 325 (7365): 639–43. PMC 1124163. PMID 12242178.
  5. McPhee, Stephen (2014). Pathophysiology of disease : an introduction to clinical medicine. New York: McGraw-Hill Education Medical. ISBN 0071806008.
  6. Marschall HU, Einarsson C (2007). "Gallstone disease". J. Intern. Med. 261 (6): 529–42. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2796.2007.01783.x. PMID 17547709.
  7. Strasberg SM (2008). "Clinical practice. Acute calculous cholecystitis". N. Engl. J. Med. 358 (26): 2804–11. doi:10.1056/NEJMcp0800929. PMID 18579815.
  8. Myers RP, Shaffer EA, Beck PL (2002). "Gallbladder polyps: epidemiology, natural history and management". Can. J. Gastroenterol. 16 (3): 187–94. PMID 11930198.
  9. 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.
  10. 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)
  11. European Journal Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 6: 585–593. 1995. Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help); |access-date= requires |url= (help)
  12. "File:Gallensteine 2006 03 28.JPG - Wikimedia Commons".
  13. Ansert, Sandra (2018). Textbook of diagnostic sonography. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier. ISBN 978-0323353755.
  14. Fisher, M. M. (1979). Gallstones. Boston, MA: Springer US. ISBN 1461570662.

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