Can intrahepatic bile duct stones be shattered?

Written by Zhang Tao
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on September 01, 2024
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Asymptomatic intrahepatic bile duct stones generally do not require treatment. Currently, most hepatobiliary surgeons believe that if patients undergo shock wave lithotripsy, the stones may migrate to the extrahepatic bile duct, forming common bile duct stones, and the patient will experience obvious abdominal pain, jaundice, and other symptoms, causing great trouble. Therefore, they oppose extracorporeal shock wave treatment for intrahepatic bile duct stones and suggest regular follow-up with ultrasound or CT, adopting more reasonable methods for treatment.

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Written by Li Hu Chen
Imaging Center
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Ultrasound presentation of intrahepatic bile duct stones

Intrahepatic bile duct stones can generally be detected via ultrasound, as they show up as strong echoes due to their solid nature which reflects sound waves back to the surface. However, the majority of these intrahepatic bile duct stones are asymptomatic. Since they rarely cause dilation of the intrahepatic bile ducts, and as long as the bile ducts do not appear dilated, thickened, or tortuous on the ultrasound, they usually do not have any significant impact. Therefore, most intrahepatic bile duct stones do not require treatment and can be managed through observation.

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Written by Zhang Tao
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Can people with intrahepatic bile duct stones eat sweet potatoes?

Intrahepatic bile duct stones can cause upper abdominal pain during acute episodes, which is generally closely related to the patient's careless diet. Sweet potatoes are a type of food that may induce gastric acid production. If a patient has intraheptic bile duct stones and consumes sweet potatoes, it may cause stomach discomfort. Therefore, it is recommended that patients generally avoid eating sweet potatoes or not eat them excessively.

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Written by Li Fei Rong
General Surgery
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Surgical treatment methods for intrahepatic bile duct stones

Asymptomatic intrahepatic bile duct stones do not require treatment; regular follow-up examinations are recommended. Surgical treatment should be considered for those with recurring clinical symptoms. The principle of surgical treatment is to remove the stones as much as possible, identify and address bile duct strictures and obstructions, remove infected areas and the sites of stones to restore and establish unobstructed bile drainage, and prevent recurrence of the stones. Surgical methods include choledochotomy for stone removal, bilioenteric anastomosis, and hepatectomy.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Multiple intrahepatic bile duct stones

Multiple intrahepatic bile duct stones are a description used in imaging studies such as ultrasound and CT, meaning there are multiple stones within the intrahepatic bile ducts. Particularly in cases where there is recurrent upper right abdominal pain, the appearance of jaundice, chills, and high fever, it is important to pay attention and consider early surgical treatment. The main surgical approach is laparoscopic choledocholithotomy, which can completely treat the condition by removing the stones. Additionally, for patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones, it is also important to avoid spicy and irritating foods in their diet to reduce inflammatory irritation and better promote recovery from the condition. The diet should primarily consist of light meals, and eating fresh vegetables and fruits can better facilitate relief from the condition.

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Written by Zhang Tao
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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How long does it take for intrahepatic bile duct stones to form?

Intrahepatic bile duct stones are a relatively common biliary system disease, related to patients' poor lifestyle and dietary habits. The formation time of intrahepatic bile duct stones varies; some people may form stones within a few months, while others may take several years, or even more than a decade or decades to form. Therefore, it is recommended that patients go to a regular public hospital for examination and maintain a light diet with plenty of vegetables.