Gallstones

Definition
the digestive
Gallstones are fluid bile, that
hardened can form
deposits of within the
gallbladder

They vary in
size and
shape from as
small as a
grain of sand
to as large as
a golf ball

They occur
when there is that result in
an imbalance precipitation of
in the one or more of
chemical the
constituents of components
bile
 Causes
The cause of gallstones varies. There are two main types of gallstones:

Stones Stones
made of made of
cholesterol bilirubin
This is the most These are called
common type pigment stones

Cholesterol They occur when

gallstones are not red blood cells are
related to destroyed and too
cholesterol levels in much bilirubin is in
the blood the bile
 Gallstones
are more
common in:
 The following factors also make you more likely to develop gallstones:

Bone marrow or solid

organ transplant

Taking birth control

Diabetes
pills

Liver cirrhosis and

Receiving nutrition
biliary tract
through a vein for
infections
a long period of
(pigmented
time
stones)

Rapid weight loss

Medical conditions
from eating a very
that cause too
low-calorie diet, or
many red blood cells
after weight loss
to be destroyed
surgery
 Symptoms
Symptoms that
Other symptoms
Many people with gallstones do may occur
may include:
not have any symptoms. The include:
gallstones are often found Pain in the right Clay-colored
during a routine x-ray, upper or middle stools
abdominal surgery, or other upper abdomen Nausea and
for at least 30 vomiting
medical procedure.
minutes. (may
be constant or
If a large stone blocks a duct
cramping, it can
that drains the gallbladder, feel sharp or
theres cramping pain in the dull)
middle to right upper abdomen Fever
(biliary colic). The pain goes Jaundice
away if the stone passes into
the first part of the intestine.
 DIAGNOSIS
BLOOD TESTS

These tests may be used to find an

infection, jaundice, pancreatitis or an
obstruction. (liver function tests, lipase,
amylase)

ULTRASOUND
 CHOLECYSTOGRAM

The contrast material is then absorbed

into bile, which fills the gallbladder. X-
rays are then taken.

ENDOSCOPIC RETROGRADE
CHOLANGIOPANCREATOGR
APHY (ERCP)

Dye is injected that stains

the ducts in the biliary
system. When the stones are
located, they can also be
removed.
 MAGNETIC RESONANCE CHOLANGIOPANCREATOGRAPHY (MRCP)

The test allows doctors to visualize the gall bladder, pancreas, and biliary
ducts without the use of contrast dye, invasive procedures, or radiation
exposure.
 TREATMENT
CHOLECYSTECTOMY is usually indicated

LAPAROSCOPIC CHOLECYSTECTOMY is first-line therapy at centers with

experience in this procedure.
MEDICATIONS TO DISSOLVE GALLSTONES. (However, medical therapy may be
a useful alternative to cholecystectomy in select patients).

Ursodeoxycholic acid (ursodiol) is a gallstone dissolution agent.

 PREVENTION

Recommending dietary changes of

decreased fat intake is prudent; this
may decrease the incidence of biliary
colic attacks. However, it has not been
shown to cause dissolution of stones.