Bile duct stones

Also known as choledocholithiasis Bile duct stones are gallstones that can sometimes block the common bile duct.

What is a bile duct?

Bile helps your body digest fat. Your bile duct takes bile from your gallbladder to your intestine. Sometimes, small stones of cholesterol can form inside the gallbladder and then get stuck in your bile duct. This condition is known as choledocholithiasis (bile duct stones).

Need to know

What are the symptoms of bile duct stones?

Usually, bile duct stones pass on their own. If they get stuck, they can cause the following symptoms:

severe abdominal pain (known as biliary colic)
jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin)
fever (high temperature)
pale-coloured faeces
nausea and vomiting

How are bile duct stones diagnosed?

Your HCA UK or Hepato-Pancreato-Biliary (HPB) consultant will start by discussing your symptoms with you. They may recommend a renal ultrasound. Carried out by one of our specialist radiology consultants, a renal ultrasound uses sound waves to create images of your liver, gallbladder and bile duct. It's the most effective way of detecting gallstones and bile duct stones.

Potential treatment options

Normally, bile duct stones only require treatment if they're causing symptoms like severe abdominal pain or jaundice. If you need treatment, your options might include:

sphincterotomy (surgery to cut into the bile duct to remove the stones or make it easier for them to pass)
cholecystectomy (surgery to remove your gallbladder and stones)
lithotripsy (laser treatment to break up the stones)

ERCP

Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography. A combined endoscopic and X-ray technique used to diagnose and treat a range of pancreatic and bile duct problems.

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