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Multiple primary choledocholithiasis in sickle cell disease

Perla Vicari1, Marco Vinicio Fanucchi Gil, Rita de Cássia Rosário Cavalheiro

  • 1Disciplina de Hematologia e Hemoterapia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. perlavicari@hemato.epm.br

Internal Medicine (Tokyo, Japan)
|December 17, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Primary choledocholithiasis is rare in sickle cell disease (SCD). This case highlights an unusual occurrence of multiple bile duct stones and pancreatitis in an SCD patient 14 years post-cholecystectomy.

Area of Science:

  • Hepatology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Hematology

Background:

  • Choledocholithiasis, or bile duct stones, can be primary or secondary.
  • Sickle cell disease (SCD) patients have a high risk of gallstones due to chronic hemolysis.
  • Primary choledocholithiasis is uncommon in SCD patients.

Observation:

  • A delay in diagnosing biliary tract pathology can occur post-cholecystectomy.
  • Prior cholecystectomy may increase the risk of primary common bile duct stones due to biliary system infection.
  • This report details a severe case of multiple primary choledocholithiasis with pancreatitis in an SCD patient.

Findings:

  • The patient had multiple primary common bile duct stones and pancreatitis.
  • The condition occurred 14 years after a cholecystectomy.
  • This case is unusual due to the rarity of primary choledocholithiasis in SCD patients, especially post-cholecystectomy.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the importance of considering primary choledocholithiasis in SCD patients with biliary symptoms, even after cholecystectomy.
  • It highlights a potential link between prior cholecystectomy and the development of primary bile duct stones in this population.
  • Further research may be warranted to explore the relationship between SCD, cholecystectomy, and primary choledocholithiasis.

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