Multiple intrahepatic bile duct stones

Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on September 17, 2024
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Multiple intrahepatic bile duct stones are a description used in imaging studies such as ultrasound and CT, meaning there are multiple stones within the intrahepatic bile ducts. Particularly in cases where there is recurrent upper right abdominal pain, the appearance of jaundice, chills, and high fever, it is important to pay attention and consider early surgical treatment. The main surgical approach is laparoscopic choledocholithotomy, which can completely treat the condition by removing the stones. Additionally, for patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones, it is also important to avoid spicy and irritating foods in their diet to reduce inflammatory irritation and better promote recovery from the condition. The diet should primarily consist of light meals, and eating fresh vegetables and fruits can better facilitate relief from the condition.

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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 Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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How to deal with inflammation and pain caused by intrahepatic bile duct stones?

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
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Do people with intrahepatic bile duct stones experience weight loss?

Generally, patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones do not experience weight loss. If there is a significant weight decrease over a short period of time, resulting in weight loss or even cachexia, attention should be raised. It is necessary to complete relevant examinations to determine if there are malignant tumors. For patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones, although they may repeatedly experience upper abdominal pain and discomfort, along with nausea and vomiting, and sometimes concurrent cholangitis that results in jaundice, generally, it does not affect their weight. Of course, the condition of patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones should be actively managed. For treatment, typically, laparoscopic choledochotomy for stone removal is chosen, which can completely eliminate the stones and significantly improve the patients' quality of life.

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Written by Zhang Tao
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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How is intrahepatic bile duct stones treated?

Intrahepatic bile duct stones refer to stones located in the branches of the bile duct above the junction of the left and right hepatic ducts. Surgical treatment is currently the main method of treatment. Treatment should be based on the number and distribution of stones within the bile ducts, the location and extent of hepatic and biliary strictures, pathological changes in the liver, the state of liver function, and the patient's overall symptoms. Appropriate surgical approaches should be adopted, including hepatectomy, high position bile ductotomy for stone removal, transhepatic choledochotomy for stone removal, biliary-intestinal internal drainage, liver transplantation, etc.

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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.