CHOLEDOCHOLITIASIS (a brief review)
Choledocholithiasis occurs in 1 - 15% of patients with gallstone disease, when stones are present in the common bile duct. Many factors play an important role in stone formation, including: bactibilia, imbalance in pH value, increased secretion of bilirubin and other factors. Symptoms and complications of common bile duct impediment due to gallstones are pain, icterus, and septicemia. Common bile duct occurs more often in females, pregnant women, the elderly, and patients with hyperlipidemia. In order to make a correct and successful diagnosis of choledocholithiasis, a blood test must be performed together with an assessment of liver and pancreatic function. Also, transabdominal ultrasound, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography should be performed. The treatment of choledocholithiasis is by removing obstructive stones using endoscopy, and an endoscopic examination of the common bile duct is important to remove any stones that remain after the endoscopic removing. Cholecystectomy is also recommended for the patient to prevent further attacks of choledocholithiasis. This review presents data on the characteristics and diagnosis of choledocholithiasis, in addition to a brief description of the available treatments.