Choledocholithiasis natural history, complications and prognosis

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Adenike Eketunde

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The choledocholithiasis symptoms typically develop as a result of stone from the gallbladder blocking the common bile duct or from stone formation within the bile duct, usually asymptomatic. According to Wenckert et al., approximately 25–50% of patients with retained bile duct stones developed severe complications, mainly jaundice or pancreatitis. ^[1]

• Biliary cirrhosis
• Cholangitis
• Pancreatitis
• Acute cholelithiasis
• Gallstones ileus

Prognosis is generally not associated with increase mortality. However, the prognosis from complications such as pancreatitis, cholangitis, secondary biliary cirrhosis can be fatal. Blockage and infection caused by stones in the biliary tract can be life threatening. However, with prompt diagnosis and treatment, the outcome is usually very good.

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