Can liver intrahepatic bile duct stones be detected by ultrasound?

Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on September 12, 2024
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
57sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhang Tao
Hepatobiliary Surgery
26sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
53sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
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.

doctor image
home-news-image
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.