Bile duct stones, or choledocholithiasis, are a common medical condition that occurs when a stone (gallstone) is present in your common bile duct.

These pebble-like stones are made of concentrated bile materials that can be present anywhere bile flows through.

Additionally, these stones are often developed in the gallbladder, and later travel to the common bile duct, which can cause blockages if they grow large enough, thereby causing several symptoms.

The stones that are found in the common bile duct are similar to the ones that are found in the gallbladder.

The liver is an important organ that functions primarily to filter materials, such as bilirubin, bile salts, cholesterol, and lecithin, from your blood. However, when there is too much cholesterol, or bilirubin, these excess materials form into sediment, which eventually becomes gallstones.

Over time, these gallstones harden, and risk the possibility of travelling into your common bile duct along with the bile blow.

Symptoms of bile duct stones normally begin to show only after these stones cause a blockage in the common bile duct. These symptoms can include:

• Abdominal pain, which is often felt in the upper right abdomen, and radiates to the shoulder blade.
• Fever.
• Jaundice.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting episodes.

However, these symptoms are universal, and can indicate a multitude of possible conditions. If you have been experiencing these symptoms, then do get in touch with us to have these symptoms examined by Dr. Ronnie Mathew

Bile duct stones are a common condition. However, you are more likely to develop bile duct stones if you have the following risk factors:

• Bile duct inflammation: you have a higher risk of developing bile duct stones if you are diagnosed with bile duct inflammation, which can lead to chronic cholangitis.
• Bile duct infection: recurrent bile duct infections will increase your chances of developing bile duct stones.
• Cholesterol level: you are more likely to develop bile duct stones if your cholesterol level is elevated.
• Congenital abnormalities: a birth defect to the bile duct, such as a choledochal cyst, can increase your likelihood of developing bile duct stones.
• Estrogen level: a high level of estrogen leads to an increased risk of developing bile duct stones.
• History of gallstones: if you have a history of gallstones, then you have an increased risk of developing new stones in your bile ducts.
• Scarring or trauma to the bile ducts: bile duct scarring, or trauma from previous surgeries, or endoscopies put you more at risk of developing bile duct stones.

Due to the fact that bile duct stones do not produce any symptoms, most bile duct stones are often diagnosed when they grow large enough to cause severe abdominal pain. Some of the diagnostic procedures that are often performed to confirm bile duct stones include:

• Blood tests: several blood tests are done to confirm bile buildup, and elevated hormone levels. These blood tests can include a complete blood count (CBC), a bilirubin test, a liver function test, and a pancreas function test.
• Imaging tests: imaging tests such as an abdominal ultrasound, or an endoscopy, will help Dr Ronnie determine if there are stones present in your bile ducts, and if these stones have caused any blockages.