Choledocholithiasis: etiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis
Il'chenko, A.A.; Bystrovskaia, E.V.
Eksperimental'naia i Klinicheskaia Gastroenterologiia 2: 40-46; 117
2003
ISSN/ISBN: 1682-8658 PMID: 12874996 Document Number: 562630
Cholelithiasis is one of the basic pathologies of the digestive apparatus. A certain progress in the study of biliary production and excretion processes has been achieved for the past two decades. This contributed to a deeper understanding of causes and factors promoting the formation of the lithogenic bile. Possibilities for cholelithiasis diagnostics (including precholelithiatic stages) have greatly expanded. The ultrasound method, which is quite efficient for diagnostics of cholecystolithiasis, has become a basic method of cholelithiasis diagnostics. Nevertheless, the course of cholelithiasis is not restricted to the formation of gallstones only. In 5-20% of cases cholecystolithiasis is combined with choledocholithiasis. The latest literature data related to problems of choledocholithiasis etiology, pathogenesis and diagnostics are given in this review of literature.