How to deal with inflammation and pain caused by intrahepatic bile duct stones?

Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on March 25, 2025
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For patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones, acute cholangitis may occur, which can cause fever and significant upper abdominal pain. At this time, antibiotic treatment should be used to control the infection, and the condition can be alleviated once the inflammation is under control. Moreover, if the condition recurs repeatedly, surgical treatment should be chosen. Only by surgically removing the stones can the symptoms be completely cured. Patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones should also be careful with their diet. They should avoid spicy and irritating foods to reduce inflammation, and eat more fresh vegetables and fruits that are rich in vitamins to better promote recovery. Patients who have undergone surgery should also have regular ultrasound check-ups to dynamically observe changes in their condition.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
47sec home-news-image

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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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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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 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.