Gallstones

Cholesterol saturation of bile has a primary role in the pathogenesis of gallstone formation. Predisposing factors should be considered. The characteristic features of biliary colic are important to keep in mind, as well as the fact that a history of fatty food intolerance is not of value in the diagnosis of gallstones. The technique of endoscopic retrograde cholangiography is useful for the diagnosis of bile duct stones in jaundiced patients and in patients with a strong clinical history, but in whom findings on oral and intravenous cholangiograms are within normal limits. Improved techniques of operative cholangiography to diminish the incidence of retained gallstones have been developed. Also, choledochoscopy provides a remarkable technique for diagnosis and choledocholithotomy. The dissolution of gallstones with chenodeoxycholic acid is an experimental procedure. This bile acid is thought to act by increasing the chenodeoxycholic acid pool size and decreasing cholesterol synthesis and secretion, thereby reversing the defects responsible for gallstone formation.