[Definition of asymptomatic biliary lithiasis]

Asymptomatic biliary lithiasis can be defined as biliary lithiasis having determined no complication and no episode of biliary pain. Biliary pain is a consequence of acute increase of pressure inside the biliary tract. The increased pressure is induced by a stone transiently obstructing the cystic duct or the Oddi sphincter. In most patients, the site of the pain is epigastric. The level of the pain is high. The duration of the episode of biliary pain is usually less than 5 hours. Abdominal pain having other characteristics, dyspepsia, and headache are not related to biliary lithiasis.