Treatment of cholesterol gallstones with chenic acid. a follow-up study of 25 patients
Beker, S.
American Journal of Gastroenterology 68(5): 456-460
1977
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9270 PMID: 607795 Document Number: 116661
Asymptomatic or with mild nonspecific symptoms of gallbladder dyspepsia patients with radiolucent gallstones in functioning gallbladders were selected for a therapeutical trial with chenic acid. Clinical evaluation, liver tests and cholecystograms were performed periodically. In the functioning gallbladders the stone size (diameter of the largest stones) was measured during each standard cholecystography and classified as smaller, < 10 mm and larger, > 10 mm. Eight patients (with small gallstones) were treated < 6 mo. and only 1 had a partial dissolution. Of the 17 patients treated more than 6 mo., the small gallstones completely disappeared in 9 (52.9%), most of them before 18 mo. of treatment and became partially smaller in 3 (17.6%) before 24 mo. of therapy. No change at all was observed in 5 patients between 18-24 mo. of treatment. In 2 of the 9 patients in whom the cholecystograms demonstrated complete dissolution of gallstones, the reappearance of small radiolucent gallstones was observed again 6 mo. after the drug was discontinued. The reinstatement of chenic acid therapy again produced, after 3 mo., complete dissolution of the gallstones. Chenic acid therapy, with a daily dose of 750 mg does not cause significant side-effects and offers a rational, effective, safe alternative to surgical treatment in a selected group of patients depending on a reasonable clinical judgment.