Do you need to cut the liver for intrahepatic bile duct stones?

Written by Zhang Tao
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on September 02, 2024
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The treatment of intrahepatic bile duct stones primarily requires surgery to remove the stones, relieve obstruction, and correct deformities. Generally, there is no need to remove the liver. However, if the liver has a tumor, or if intrahepatic bile duct stones are accompanied by liver fibrosis or even liver atrophy, partial liver lobe resection can be considered. For asymptomatic patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones, temporary observation and follow-up are feasible.

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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 Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Are intrahepatic bile duct stones the same as gallstones?

Intrahepatic bile duct stones are a type of gallstone, and patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones often develop cholangitis. Thus, patients may exhibit symptoms such as chills, high fever, jaundice, and significant upper abdominal pain. They might also experience nausea and vomiting. In severe cases, the condition can lead to acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis, septic shock, and even result in death. Therefore, intrahepatic bile duct stones should be taken seriously. If significant symptoms occur, it is advisable to undergo surgery as soon as possible. The surgical method can be a laparoscopic choledochotomy to remove the stones, which can be curative. Gallstones also include gallbladder stones, which are a common type clinically. If symptoms occur, the treatment method is also surgical, involving the removal of the gallbladder to achieve a cure.

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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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Symptoms of intrahepatic bile duct stones

Intrahepatic bile duct stones, depending on the duration and pathology, can present with various clinical manifestations. In the early stages, patients generally do not show obvious symptoms, with stones limited to a certain segment within the intrahepatic bile ducts. In later stages, stones can be found throughout the intra- and extrahepatic biliary system, and may even lead to biliary cirrhosis, liver atrophy, and liver abscesses. The clinical manifestations can include: first, pain in the upper abdomen; second, a long history of biliary tract diseases, with patients experiencing chills, fever, and jaundice; third, frequent pain and discomfort in the liver area on the affected side and the lower chest, which can radiate to the shoulder and back, etc.

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Written by Zhang Tao
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Can intrahepatic bile duct stones be shattered?

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.