Where to massage for intrahepatic bile duct stones?

Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
Updated on February 01, 2025
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If intrahepatic bile duct stones are present without obvious symptoms, no special treatment is needed at this time. It is advisable to regularly re-examine with ultrasound and dynamically observe any changes in size. Of course, diet should avoid spicy and irritant foods, mainly light foods, and consume more fresh vegetables and fruits to reduce inflammatory stimulation and better control the progression of the disease. If there are significant symptoms, there will be obvious pain in the upper right abdomen, and possibly nausea, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Therefore, the treatment should involve early surgical intervention, as surgery is the only way to achieve a cure. The main surgical method is laparoscopic choledochotomy for stone removal.

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Written by Zhang Tao
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Symptoms of intrahepatic bile duct stones

Intrahepatic bile duct stones, depending on the duration and pathology, can present with various clinical manifestations. In the early stages, patients generally do not show obvious symptoms, with stones limited to a certain segment within the intrahepatic bile ducts. In later stages, stones can be found throughout the intra- and extrahepatic biliary system, and may even lead to biliary cirrhosis, liver atrophy, and liver abscesses. The clinical manifestations can include: first, pain in the upper abdomen; second, a long history of biliary tract diseases, with patients experiencing chills, fever, and jaundice; third, frequent pain and discomfort in the liver area on the affected side and the lower chest, which can radiate to the shoulder and back, etc.

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Written by Zhang Tao
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Do you need to cut the liver for intrahepatic bile duct stones?

The treatment of intrahepatic bile duct stones primarily requires surgery to remove the stones, relieve obstruction, and correct deformities. Generally, there is no need to remove the liver. However, if the liver has a tumor, or if intrahepatic bile duct stones are accompanied by liver fibrosis or even liver atrophy, partial liver lobe resection can be considered. For asymptomatic patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones, temporary observation and follow-up are feasible.

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Written by Liu Wu Cai
Hepatobiliary Surgery
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Can gallstones within the liver that don't cause pain be ignored?

For patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones who do not experience any discomfort, abdominal pain, or jaundice, it is possible to temporarily observe without special treatment. However, special attention should be paid to the diet. It is advisable to avoid spicy and stimulating foods such as chili peppers, barbecue, and garlic, as these inflammatory irritants may cause local inflammation and even lead to acute cholecystitis and cholangitis. Additionally, the diet should also avoid foods high in cholesterol and fats, such as animal offal and fatty meats, as these foods can exacerbate symptoms. Therefore, although patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones may not exhibit any symptoms, it is still important to pay attention to daily life.

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Written by Li Fei Rong
General Surgery
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Surgical treatment methods for intrahepatic bile duct stones

Asymptomatic intrahepatic bile duct stones do not require treatment; regular follow-up examinations are recommended. Surgical treatment should be considered for those with recurring clinical symptoms. The principle of surgical treatment is to remove the stones as much as possible, identify and address bile duct strictures and obstructions, remove infected areas and the sites of stones to restore and establish unobstructed bile drainage, and prevent recurrence of the stones. Surgical methods include choledochotomy for stone removal, bilioenteric anastomosis, and hepatectomy.

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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.