Stone in bile duct

Description

Choledocholithiasis or stone in bile duct. The presence of the gallstone in the common bile duct. This disease causes yellowing of the skin due to increased bilirubin and can damage the liver. This is the urgent medical case. Stones should be removed by ERCP or surgically.

Symptoms

Abdominal pain (upper right part of the abdomen), vomiting, elevated temperature, yellowed whites of the eye or skin.

Overview

Anamnesis will be taken and medical examination will be done. The gallstone in the common bile duct is being identified with some of the following methods: ultrasound, CT scan, MRCP (cholangiopancreatography with magnetic resonance), ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography), endoscopic ultrasound and percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTCA).

Tests

Complete blood count (CBC), biochemical blood analysis, CT scan, lipase, magnetic resonance imaging-MRI and ultrasound.

Additional analyses

Cholangiopancreatography with magnetic resonance (MRCP), ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography), endoscopic ultrasound, percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography (PTCA).

Specialists

Gastroenterology

Therapy

Therapy can include: surgical removal of the gall or gallstone, and/or ERCP (endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography) and sphincterotomy (surgical cut of the sphincter of the common bile duct). Antibiotics may be given, too.