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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Does Jin Qian Cao expel gallstones from the liver's bile ducts?

This method cannot eliminate intrahepatic bile duct stones. The treatment for intrahepatic bile duct stones mainly depends on the symptoms. For patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones who do not have significant symptoms and whose stones are relatively small, no special treatment is required. Avoiding spicy and irritating foods in the diet can reduce inflammatory stimuli and better control the condition. Regular follow-up with ultrasonography is sufficient. However, for patients with larger intrahepatic bile duct stones, acute cholangitis may occur, presenting with significant upper abdominal pain. In such cases, proactive treatment is necessary. The treatment mainly involves surgery, which can significantly improve the prognosis and potentially cure the condition.

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Written by Zhang Tao
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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What should be noted for intrahepatic bile duct stones?

Patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones should pay attention to the following: First, try to reduce the intake of fats, especially animal fats; second, the formation of a considerable number of intrahepatic bile duct stones is related to high cholesterol levels and metabolic disorders in the body, so it is necessary to limit foods high in cholesterol, such as eggs and the organs of various meat animals; third, food should be prepared by steaming, boiling, or stewing; fourth, increase the supply of fish, lean meats, soy products, and fresh fruits and vegetables.

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Written by Shen Jiang Chao
Radiology
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Intrahepatic bile duct stones B-ultrasound manifestations

Intrahepatic bile duct stones show typical sonographic changes on ultrasound, appearing as punctate or mass-like strong echoes within the liver, accompanied by acoustic shadows. These strong echoes are distributed along the intrahepatic bile ducts. The bile duct proximal to the stone may exhibit varying degrees of dilation, and the dilated intrahepatic bile duct, along with the accompanying portal vein, forms a parallel tube sign. Around the strong echoes of the stones, a narrow anechoic region can be seen encircling them, and the stones generally do not move with changes in body position. Intrahepatic bile duct stones can also cause thickening of hepatic parenchyma echoes and internal echo heterogeneity.

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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.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
58sec home-news-image

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.