Gallstones

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Cholecystolithiasis	Cholelithiasis	Digestive system	Gallbladder
Gallbladder	Gallbladder removal - series	Gallstones, cholangiogram	Kidney cyst with gallstones, CT scan

LITHOTRIPSY

Electrohydraulic shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) has also been used to treat gallstones. In this method, electromagnetic high-energy shock waves break up the stones.

This approach was particularly popular in the mid-to-late 1980s, when some studies found it to clear gallstones in up to 60% of patients. However, its application is limited if there are a large number of stones present, if the stones are very large, or in the presence of acute cholecystitis or cholangitis. It can also be used in association with UDCA to improve its effect.

Gallstones develop in many people without causing symptoms. The chance of symptoms or complications from gallstones is about 20%. With current surgical approaches, the outlook is excellent for people with symptoms -- over 99% of patients have no recurrence of symptoms.

• Cholecystitis - acute
• Cholecystitis - chronic
• Cholangitis
• Choledocholithiasis
• Pancreatitis

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if you have pain in the right upper quadrant of your abdomen, jaundice, or other symptoms of gallstones.

Review Date: 10/27/2005
Reviewed By: Courtney W. Houchen, M.D., Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.