[Asymptomatic choledocholithiasis associated with diabetic neuropathy. Report of a case]

A case of severe autonomic diabetic neuropathy with abolished visceral pain sensitivity is reported. A patient was admitted who presented jaundice without abdominal pain. Diabetes was diagnosed. The pathogenesis of jaundice was traced to the inflammation of a postoperative stenosis of the choledochus. An episode of gallstone disease had occurred 7 years before. Interestingly, although there were stones located both in the gallbladder and in the distal extremity of the choledochus, no pain was present. Possible relationships between gallstone disease and diabetic autonomic neuropathy are discussed.