However, about 15 percent of all people with gallstones will have gallstones in the bile duct, or choledocholithiasis<\/p>\n
What are the symptoms?<\/h2>\n
Gallstones in the bile duct may not cause symptoms for months or even years in unobstructed. But if a stone becomes lodged in the duct and obstructs it, you may experience the following:<\/p>\n
- \n
- abdominal pain<\/a>\u00a0in the right upper or middle upper abdomen radiating to back<\/li>\n
- fever<\/a><\/li>\n
- jaundice<\/a>\u00a0(yellowing of the skin and eyes)<\/li>\n
- loss of appetite<\/a><\/li>\n
- nausea and vomiting<\/a><\/li>\n
- clay-colored stools<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The pain caused by gallstones in the bile duct can be sporadic, or it can linger. The pain may be mild at times and then suddenly severe. Severe pain may require emergency medical treatment.<\/p>\n
When a gallstone is stuck in the bile duct, the bile can become infected. The bacteria from the infection can spread rapidly, it can become a life-threatening infection. Other possible complications include biliary cirrhosis and\u00a0pancreatitis<\/a>.<\/p>\n
Diagnosing choledocholithiasis<\/h2>\n
- \n
- Transabdominal ultrasound<\/a>\u00a0(TUS)<\/li>\n
- abdominal CT scan<\/a>:<\/li>\n
- endoscopic retrograde cholangiography<\/a>\u00a0(ERCP):<\/li>\n
- magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP): an\u00a0MRI<\/a>\u00a0of the gallbladder, bile ducts, and pancreatic duct<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Your doctor may also order one or more of the following blood tests to look for an infection and to check liver and pancreas function:<\/p>\n
- \n
- complete blood count<\/a><\/li>\n
- bilirubin<\/a><\/li>\n
- pancreatic enzymes<\/a><\/li>\n
- liver function tests<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Treating choledocholithiasis<\/h2>\n
Treating gallstones in the bile duct focuses on relieving the blockage. These treatments may include:<\/p>\n
- \n
- EPT + stone extraction + CBD stenting<\/li>\n
- surgery to remove the gallbladder and stones (cholecystectomy)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
The most common treatment for gallstones in the bile duct is biliary endoscopic sphincterotomy(BES). During a BES procedure, a balloon- or basket-type device is inserted into the bile duct and used to extract the stone or stones. About 85 percent of bile duct stones can be removed with BES.<\/p>\n
- bilirubin<\/a><\/li>\n
- abdominal CT scan<\/a>:<\/li>\n
- fever<\/a><\/li>\n
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