Common Bile Duct Stone
Common Bile Duct (CBD) Stones:
Compared to gallbladder stones, CBD stones are more likely to cause symptoms and lead to serious complications. Most CBD stones originate from stones that have migrated from the gallbladder, although some patients can form stones directly within the bile duct itself.
Symptoms of CBD Stones:
- Upper abdominal pain with jaundice
- Fever with chills
- Low blood pressure
- Reduced urine output
Diagnosis:
CBD stones may be seen on a standard abdominal ultrasound, but this test is not very sensitive. MRCP and EUS are more accurate and preferred for detecting stones in the common bile duct.
Treatment:
Every patient with CBD stones needs prompt treatment. ERCP is the standard method for removing these stones. During ERCP, an endoscope is passed through the mouth under sedation, and special tools are used to extract the stones from the bile duct.
If the patient has a bile duct infection, a stent is inserted to ensure proper bile drainage.