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 Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Can liver intrahepatic bile duct stones be detected by ultrasound?

Patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones can be detected via ultrasound examination, where the stones are clearly visible, especially for those with larger stones. These patients may also experience recurrent right upper abdominal pain, nausea, and vomiting. For patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones who exhibit significant symptoms, it is advisable to undergo surgical treatment as soon as possible. Only by surgically opening the bile duct and removing the stones can a cure be achieved. However, if the stones are relatively small and asymptomatic, they might not be detected during an ultrasound examination, and no special treatment is required at that time. If small gallstones are observed, it is recommended to regularly recheck with an ultrasound to monitor changes in size.

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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.

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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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Will liver bile duct stones cause facial spots?

Patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones generally do not experience facial pigmentation. The symptoms of intrahepatic bile duct stones primarily manifest as acute cholangitis, with noticeable right upper abdominal pain, and may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Some patients may also exhibit symptoms of systemic infection such as chills, high fever, and fatigue. Additionally, obstructive jaundice can occur, characterized by lighter stool color, darker urine color, and yellowing of the skin and mucous membranes. However, facial pigmentation generally does not occur. Therefore, for patients with recurrent intrahepatic bile duct stones, early surgical treatment should be considered. Surgery is the only definitive treatment to relieve the condition effectively.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Is dandelion useful for intrahepatic bile duct stones?

Dandelion has no effect on intrahepatic bile duct stones. For patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones, if the stones are small, generally there are no obvious symptoms at this time, and no special treatment is needed. It is possible to periodically review with color ultrasound to dynamically observe the change in size. Of course, spicy and irritating foods should be avoided in the usual diet to reduce inflammatory stimulation, and eating more fresh vegetables and fruits can better control the development of the condition. For patients with larger intrahepatic bile duct stones, there might be complications such as acute cholangitis, characterized by severe pain and jaundice. Therefore, in such severe cases, early surgical treatment should be considered.