Gall-bladder stones; gall stones; bile-duct stones
Gall stones are materials present in the body, eg cholesterol, pigment or bilirubin and a mixture of materials, that solidify forming stones. Such stones can form in the gall bladder and the bile ducts. The most common types are gall bladder stones (cholelithiasis), gall stones (choledocholithiasis), pigment stones, cholesterol stones, and gall bladder sludge. Gall stones occur in 1 out of 4 women over 50, but are less common in men.
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Gall stones can develop when the components of the bile are out of balance, ie when there is too little bile acid or too much cholesterol. Gall stones may cause an inflammation of the gall bladder (cholecystitis) or block the bile ducts (choledocholithiasis), with the risk of further complications.
Risk factors for developing gall stones include cholesterol oversaturation (wrong diet), familial predisposition (hereditary), excess body weight (obesity), pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, chronic blood disorders (haemolysis), cirrhosis of the liver.
Drug therapy, too, can promote the development of gall stones, eg hormones (estrogens), or antilipemics (cholesterol lowering drugs).
Secondary disorders that can result from gall stones are gall bladder infections (cholecystitis), suppuration of the gall bladder (empyema) which may lead to gall bladder perforation or jaundice (icterus); infection of the pancreas (pancreatitis) and gall bladder cancer.
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Risk factors for developing gall stones include cholesterol oversaturation (wrong diet), familial predisposition (hereditary), excess body weight (obesity), pregnancy, diabetes mellitus, chronic blood disorders (haemolysis), cirrhosis of the liver.
Drug therapy, too, can promote the development of gall stones, eg hormones (estrogens), or antilipemics (cholesterol lowering drugs).
Secondary disorders that can result from gall stones are gall bladder infections (cholecystitis), suppuration of the gall bladder (empyema) which may lead to gall bladder perforation or jaundice (icterus); infection of the pancreas (pancreatitis) and gall bladder cancer.
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Healthy diet (few fats), normal body weight, treatment of the basic disease where necessary.
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weiter zu Symptome...
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No symptoms in 30 % of all patients; pain in the upper right or middle region of the abdomen
Severe pain: biliary colic (“gall stone attack”), possibly jaundice: dark urine, light-coloured stool, fever, vomiting
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Severe pain: biliary colic (“gall stone attack”), possibly jaundice: dark urine, light-coloured stool, fever, vomiting
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Physical examination, ultra-sound examiniation (sonography), blood tests, computer tomography; where necessary diagnostic images of the bile ducts (Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiography = ERC).
In some case endoscopic or x-ray examinations.
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In some case endoscopic or x-ray examinations.
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Unless the patient experiences symptoms, no treatment is necessary.
Biliary colic: painkillers and relaxants
More severe symptoms: removal of the gall bladder (cholecystectomy).
Gall bladder stones (choledocholithiasis): endoscopy (ERCP).
Only in exceptions: gall stone dissolving drugs; lithotripsy (breaking up of the gall stones).
Surgical options: minimally invasive surgery (“key-hole surgery”); laparoscopic surgery; very few complications, fast recovery
zurück zur Definition
Biliary colic: painkillers and relaxants
More severe symptoms: removal of the gall bladder (cholecystectomy).
Gall bladder stones (choledocholithiasis): endoscopy (ERCP).
Only in exceptions: gall stone dissolving drugs; lithotripsy (breaking up of the gall stones).
Surgical options: minimally invasive surgery (“key-hole surgery”); laparoscopic surgery; very few complications, fast recovery
zurück zur Diagnostik...
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