Choledocholithiasis: Clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and management - UpToDate

Choledocholithiasis refers to the presence of gallstones within the bile duct. While stones can occur anywhere in the biliary system, most originate in the gallbladder and therefore become lodged in the common bile duct. Stones in the bile duct need to be removed because they cause symptoms (such as abdominal pain and vomiting) and can lead to complications, including cholangitis (inflammation of the bile duct) and secondary biliary cirrhosis (liver fibrosis due to chronic biliary obstruction). This topic will review the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and general management of choledocholithiasis. Details of the endoscopic techniques for treating choledocholithiasis, as well as the epidemiology and the general management of patients with gallstones, are discussed separately: ● (See "Endoscopic management of bile duct stones".) ● (See "Gallstones: Epidemiology, risk factors and prevention".) ● (See "Approach to the management of gallstones".) ● (See "Clinical manifestations and eva

Choledocholithiasis refers to the presence of gallstones within the bile duct. While stones can occur anywhere in the biliary system, most originate in the gallbladder and therefore become lodged in the common bile duct. Stones in the bile duct need to be removed because they cause symptoms (such as abdominal pain and vomiting) and can lead to complications, including cholangitis (inflammation of the bile duct) and secondary biliary cirrhosis (liver fibrosis due to chronic biliary obstruction). This topic will review the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, and general management of choledochol