Are intrahepatic bile duct stones the same as gallstones?

Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on September 27, 2024
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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 MRCP detect intrahepatic bile duct stones?

Patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones can undergo MRCP examination. For patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones, in addition to being noticeable in ultrasound, CT, and MRI examinations, MRCP can also be performed, and it is also a method of treatment. Moreover, whether treatment is needed for patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones mainly depends on the symptoms. For asymptomatic patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones, if the stones are relatively small in size, no special treatment is necessary. Avoiding spicy and irritating foods in the diet to reduce inflammatory stimuli can help manage the condition. However, for patients with larger intrahepatic bile duct stones, acute cholangitis may occur, presenting as significant upper abdominal pain. In such cases, early surgical intervention should be considered for treatment.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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What should I do if I always have back pain due to intrahepatic bile duct stones?

If patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones repeatedly experience back pain, this should be taken seriously. Intrahepatic bile duct stones often coincide with acute cholangitis, which can cause discomfort and pain in the upper right abdomen. There might also be radiating pain in the right shoulder and scapular area, resulting in a sensation of soreness. At this time, antibiotic treatment should be used to fight the infection. Once the inflammation is under control, the condition can be alleviated. Of course, if the symptoms recur, surgical treatment should be carried out as soon as possible. Only surgery can achieve a complete cure, significantly improving the patient's quality of life and alleviating the condition more effectively.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Is the incidence of intrahepatic bile duct stones high?

Intrahepatic bile duct stones have a relatively low incidence rate. They are a type of gallstone, and compared to gallbladder stones, their occurrence is less frequent. Patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones often experience concurrent cholangitis, leading to symptoms such as upper abdominal pain, significant nausea, and vomiting, along with other gastrointestinal symptoms. Therefore, for patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones, when significant symptoms occur, not only is the use of antibiotics necessary to treat the infection and control the inflammation, but surgery is also required to achieve therapeutic effects. The primary surgical method is choledochotomy for stone removal, which can lead to better treatment outcomes after the stones are extracted.

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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.

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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.