Lets learn about Gall bladder stone or Cholelithiasis.

Hepatobiliary series:

1. GALL BLADDER STONE/CHOLELTHIASIS

Lets learn about Gall bladder stone or Cholelithiasis. One of the most common disease encountered by a radiologist on day to day practice.

Most important Function of gall bladder is to work as a reservoir for the Bile released by liver and concentrate it. The bile is then released from the Gall bladder into the Gut which helps in digestion of fat.

Stone formation within the Gall bladder is common in female patient with high serum cholesterol levels, who are in their 40’s.

Gall bladder sludge is a necessary precursor of Gall stone. Gall stone contains Bile pigment, bile salts (calcium salts) and cholesterol.

Most patients are asymptomatic. Patient may have pain in right upper abdomen or in the right shoulder. Indigestion, nausea and vomiting are also commonly seen.

Gall stone can be solitary/single or multiple of variable size.

Treatment generally includes

1. Medical: Ursodeoxycholic acid, generally used for Cholesterol containing Gall stones. It dissolves the cholesterol and decreases the cholesterol production by the liver and thus helps to dissolve the stone. Generally treatment period is 6 months to 4 years.

2. Surgery: Cholecystectomy (Removing the Gall bladder along with stones)

Complications of Gall bladder stone:

a) Acute inflammation of gall bladder (Acute cholecystitis)

b) Bile duct stones (Choledocholithiasis)

c) Gall stone pancreatitis

d) Gall bladder cancer (Higher chances with larger stones, mainly more than 3cm and long standing Gall stones)

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