Open AccessCholedocholithiasis: Evolving standards for diagnosis and management
Author(s) -
Marilee Freitas,
Robert L. Bell,
Andrew Duffy
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
world journal of gastroenterology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.427
H-Index - 155
eISSN - 2219-2840
pISSN - 1007-9327
DOI - 10.3748/wjg.v12.i20.3162
Subject(s) - medicine , magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography , common bile duct , endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography , cholecystectomy , radiology , cholangiography , percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography , gallbladder , gallstones , percutaneous , gallbladder stone , magnetic resonance imaging , general surgery , bile duct , ultrasound , surgery , pancreatitis
Cholelithiasis, one of the most common medical conditions leading to surgical intervention, affects approximately 10 % of the adult population in the United States. Choledocholithiasis develops in about 10%-20% of patients with gallbladder stones and the literature suggests that at least 3%-10% of patients undergoing cholecystectomy will have common bile duct (CBD) stones. CBD stones may be discovered preoperatively, intraoperatively or postoperatively Multiple modalities are available for assessing patients for choledocholithiasis including laboratory tests, ultrasound, computed tomography scans (CT), and magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). Intraoperative cholangiography during cholecystectomy can be used routinely or selectively to diagnose CBD stones. The most common intervention for CBD stones is ERCP. Other commonly used interventions include intraoperative bile duct exploration, either laparoscopic or open. Percutaneous, transhepatic stone removal other novel techniques of biliary clearance have been devised. The availability of equipment and skilled practitioners who are facile with these techniques varies among institutions. The timing of the intervention is often dictated by the clinical situation.