Korean J Gastrointest Endosc.  2003 Jun;26(6):448-453.

A Case of Primary Pure Cholesterol Hepatolithiasis

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Asan Medical Center, Seoul, Korea. mhkim@amc.seoul.kr

Abstract

In the past, most hepatolithiasis had been brown pigment stones in Korea. However, stones with high cholesterol content are found with increasing frequency. Abdominal ultrasonography is superior to CT for detection of cholesterol hepatolithiasis. The characteristic gross morphology of pure cholesterol hepatolithiasis shown by cholangioscopy is diagnostic. An effective medical management consists of stone removal by percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopy and ursodeoxycholic acid for the prevention of recurrence. We here report a case of primary pure cholesterol hepatolithiasis with a review of the literature. A 29-year-old woman presented with right upper quadrant pain. Abdominal ultrasonography showed right intrahepatic duct stones. A cholangioscopy revealed typical cholesterol stones, mucosal hyperemia, and mild narrowing in stone-bearing intrahepatic duct. Cholangioscopic stone removal via the percutaneous transhepatic route was successfully performed. To prevent recurrence, ursodeoxycholic acid was administered.

Keyword

Hepatolithiasis; Cholesterol ston

MeSH Terms

Adult
Cholesterol*
Female
Humans
Hyperemia
Korea
Recurrence
Ultrasonography
Ursodeoxycholic Acid
Cholesterol
Ursodeoxycholic Acid
Full Text Links
  • KJGE
Actions
Cited
CITED
export Copy
Close
Share
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
Similar articles
Copyright © 2024 by Korean Association of Medical Journal Editors. All rights reserved.     E-mail: koreamed@kamje.or.kr