BACKGROUND/AIMS: Gallbladder stone is one of the major cause of morbidity in adults. Renal transplantation has been found to increase the risk of gallbladder stone formation. The real incidence of gallbladder stones in renal transplant recipients is not exactly known. We performed this study to identify the risk factors for cholecystolithiasis. METHODS: We compared the prevalence of gallbladder stone in 222 renal transplantation patients with that in 222 age and sex matched controls. Patients who had chronic liver disease, renal disease, and diabetes were excluded from the control group. RESULTS: In our study, the incidence of gallbladder stones is 8.6% (19/222 patients) in renal transplantation patients, which was significantly higher than 3.60% (8/222 control) in the control group (p=0.029). In the most of our renal transplantation patients, cholecystolithiasis was asymptomatic. We did not find a difference in age, sex, duration after transplantation, causes of renal failure, resistance index between patients with and without gallbladder stones in renal transplantation patients. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that the incidence of gallbladder stones is higher in renal transplant recipients than non-transplant population in Korea. Further studies will be needed to focus the factors contributing to the gallbladder stone formation after renal transplantation, especially in regard to immunosuppressive drugs.
Adult ; Aged ; English Abstract ; Female ; Gallstones/*etiology ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation/*adverse effects ; Male ; Middle Aged

Aged, 80 and over ; Gallstones ; complications ; diagnosis ; Gastric Outlet Obstruction ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Humans ; Male

OBJECTIVETo assess the feasibility and safety of laparoscopic anatomical hepatectomies (LAH) for intrahepatic bile duct stone.

METHODSLAH was performed in 14 patients with intrahepatic bile duct stone, while another 20 patients with intrahepatic bile duct stone underwent classical operation. Surgical time, blood loss, postoperative complications, and postoperative hospital stay were recorded.

RESULTSThe operations were successful in all 14 patients who underwent LAH. Surgical time was 190-420 mm [mean (259 +/- 134) mm]. Blood loss during operation was 220-1 000 ml [mean (454.5 +/- 314.2) ml]. No serious postoperative complications occurred. All these 14 patients were discharged with T dragin 7-14 days later, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was (9.2 +/- 3.4) days. In the classical operation group, the surgical time was 125-257 mm [mean (178 +/- 58) mm] and the blood loss was 210-1200 ml [mean (550.9 +/- 348.1) ml] All the patients were discharged with T dragin 9-25 days after operation, and the mean postoperative hospital stay was (13.4 +/- 4.7) days. Surgical time of LAH was longer than classical operation (P < 0.05). Rate of postoperative complications and postoperative hospital stay were decreased in LAH (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The difference of blood loss during operation was no significance between LAH and classical operation (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSLAH is feasible and safe for selected patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones. As a minimally invasive procedure, it can reduce surgical time, blood loss, hospital stay, and postoperative complications.

Gallstones ; complications ; surgery ; Hepatectomy ; instrumentation ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Length of Stay ; Postoperative Complications ; etiology ; Time Factors ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUND: Although osteopontin (OPN) is expressed in the liver and pigment gallstones of patients with hepatolithiasis, its role in pigment gallstone formation remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the function of OPN in pigment gallstone formation. METHODS: Rats were fed a chow diet (CD) or lithogenic diet (LD) for 10 consecutive weeks; blocking tests were then performed using an OPN antibody (OPN-Ab). Incidence of gallstones and levels of several bile components, OPN, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), and cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase (CYP7A1) were analyzed. To determine TNF-α expression in hepatic macrophages and both CYP7A1 and bile acid (BA) expression in liver cells, recombinant rat OPN and recombinant rat TNF-α were used to treat rat hepatic macrophages and rat liver cells, respectively. Chi-square or Fisher exact tests were used to analyze qualitative data, Student t-test or one-way analysis of variance were used to analyze qualitative data. RESULTS: Incidence of gallstones was higher in LD-fed rats than in CD-fed rats (80% vs. 10%, P < 0.05). BA content significantly decreased in bile (t = -36.08, P < 0.01) and liver tissue (t = -16.16, P < 0.01) of LD-fed rats. Both hepatic OPN protein expression (t = 9.78, P < 0.01) and TNF-α level (t = 8.83, P < 0.01) distinctly increased in the LD group; what's more, CYP7A1 mRNA and protein levels (t = -12.35, P < 0.01) were markedly down-regulated in the LD group. Following OPN-Ab pretreatment, gallstone formation decreased (85% vs. 25%, χ2 = 14.55, P < 0.01), liver TNF-α expression (F = 20.36, P < 0.01) was down-regulated in the LD group, and CYP7A1 expression (F = 17.51, P < 0.01) was up-regulated. Through CD44 and integrin receptors, OPN promoted TNF-α production in macrophage (F = 1041, P < 0.01), which suppressed CYP7A1 expression (F = 48.08, P < 0.01) and reduced liver BA synthesis (F = 119.4, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS We provide novel evidence of OPN involvement in pigmented gallstone pathogenesis in rats.
Animals ; Diet/adverse effects* ; Gallstones/etiology* ; Lithiasis ; Liver ; Liver Diseases ; Osteopontin/genetics* ; Rats

We recently encountered a case of hereditary spherocytosis coexisting with Gilbert's syndrome. Patient was initially diagnosed with Gilbert's syndrome and observed, but other findings suggestive of concurrent hemolysis, such as splenomegaly and gallstones were noted during the follow-up period. Therefore, further evaluations, including a peripheral blood smear, osmotic fragility test, autohemolysis test, and red blood cell membrane protein test were performed, and coexisting hereditary spherocytosis was diagnosed. Genotyping of the conjugation enzyme uridine diphosphate-glucuronosyltransferase was used to confirm Gilbert's syndrome. Because of the high prevalence rates and similar symptoms of these 2 diseases, hereditary spherocytosis can be masked in patients with Gilbert's syndrome. In review of a case and other article, the possibility of the coexistence of these 2 diseases should be considered, especially in patients with unconjugated hyperbilirubinemia who also have splenomegaly and gallstones.
Adult ; Erythrocytes/physiology ; Gallstones/etiology ; Genotype ; Gilbert Disease/complications/*diagnosis/genetics ; Glucuronosyltransferase/genetics ; Hemolysis ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia/etiology ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Spherocytosis, Hereditary/complications/*diagnosis/genetics ; Splenomegaly/etiology

Ectopic pregnancy is a potentially life-threatening condition. Detection of ectopic pregnancy on CT images is rare. In this case, we describe the CT findings of interstitial pregnancy both before and after rupture. If CT images demonstrate the presence of a strong enhancing ring-like mass in the pelvis, ectopic pregnancy should be considered.
Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Gallstones/radiography ; Hemoperitoneum/etiology/radiography ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy, Tubal/*radiography ; Rupture, Spontaneous ; *Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Gallbladder ; physiopathology ; Gallbladder Emptying ; physiology ; Gallstones ; etiology ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; complications ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVETo explore clinical features, diagnostic methods and treatment of gallstone ileus.

METHODSClinical data of 5 patients with gallstone ileus were analyzed retrospectively. Pertinent literature from China between 2000 and 2009 were reviewed. The disease onset, clinical manifestations, imaging characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of gallstone ileus were studied.

RESULTSFour out of 5 patients were female aged over 60, of whom 3 had a previous history of cholelithiasis, 2 had a history of cholangiojejunostomy internal drainage procedure. Four patients underwent enterotomy and gallstone extraction combined with hepatobiliary operation, while one underwent enterotomy alone. There was no postoperative recurrence. A review of the literature from China revealed 441 cases with intestinal obstruction caused by gallstone, consisting 1.15% of all the cases with bowel obstruction. 67.12% were female. 73.56% were elderly. 87.92% were from cystoenteral fistula. Site of bowel obstruction in ileum was 64.17% of the cases. 71.89% were misdiagnosed with other types of obstruction. Two hundred twenty-five patients underwent enterotomy and gallstone extraction combined with hepatobiliary operation, which carried a lower rate of postoperative recurrence and malignancy (P<0.05) than enterotomy alone. There were no statistical significant differences in the occurrence of postoperative cystoenteral fistula, wound infection, pulmonary infection, cure rate, and mortality(P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe incidence of gallstone ileus is low and more common in female elderly. The gallstones often drain through cystoenteral fistula and lodge in the ileum. Enterotomy without hepatobiliary operation is associated with potential risk of recurrence and development of gallbladder malignancy. Combined hepatobiliary operation is recommended in patients without significant comorbidities.

Aged ; Female ; Gallstones ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Humans ; Intestinal Obstruction ; diagnosis ; etiology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility and efficacy of laparoscopic transcystic drainage and common bile duct exploration in the treatment of patients with difficult biliary stones. METHODS: Between April 2020 and December 2021, eighteen patients with difficult biliary stones received laparoscopic transcystic drainage (C-tube technique) and common bile duct exploration. The clinical characteristics and outcomes were retrospectively collected. The safety and effectiveness of laparoscopic transcystic drainage and common bile duct exploration were analyzed. RESULTS: Among the eighteen patients with difficult biliary stones, thirteen patients received traditional laparoscopic transcystic drainage, and the remaining five received modified laparoscopic transcystic drainage. The mean surgical duration were (161±59) min (82-279 min), no bile duct stenosis or residual stone was observed in the patients receiving postoperative cholangiography via C-tube. The maximum volume of C-tube drainage was (500±163) mL/d (180-820 mL/d). Excluding three patients with early dislodgement of C-tube, among the fifteen patients with C-tube maintained, the median time of C-tube removal was 8 d (5-12 d). The duration of hospital stay was (12±3) d (7-21 d) for the 18 patients. Five C-tube related adverse events were observed, all of which occurred in the patients with traditional laparoscopic transcystic drainage, including two abnormal position of the C-tube, and three early dislocation of the C-tube. All the 5 adverse events caused no complications. Only one grade one complication occurred, which was in a patient with modified laparoscopic transcystic drainage. The patient demonstrated transient fever after C-tube removal, but there was no bile in the drainage tube and the subsequent CT examination confirmed no bile leakage. The fever spontaneously relieved with conservative observation, and the patient recovered uneventfully with discharge the next day. All the 18 patients were followed up for 1-20 months (median: 9 months). Normal liver function and no recurrence of stone were detected with ultrasonography or magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP). CONCLUSION Laparoscopic transcystic drainage combined with common bile duct exploration is safe and feasible in the treatment of patients with difficult biliary stones. The short-term effect is good. Modified laparoscopic transcystic drainage approach may reduce the incidence of C-tube dislocation and bile leak.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures/adverse effects* ; Gallstones/etiology* ; Drainage/methods* ; Laparoscopy/adverse effects* ; Common Bile Duct/surgery*

Enterolith is a rare complication of Billroth II gastrectomy. Most enterolith cases have been reported in association with diverticula, tuberculosis, and Crohn's disease. We report the case of a huge enterolith that developed in the duodenal stump following common bile duct obstruction and cholangitis, necessitating surgery. The enterolith was clearly visible on the abdominal computed tomography. It was removed through a duodenotomy. The surgery was successful without any significant complications.
Abdomen/diagnostic imaging ; Aged ; Cholestasis/*diagnosis/etiology/surgery ; Duodenal Diseases/*diagnosis/etiology/surgery ; Female ; Gallstones/complications/diagnosis ; Gastroenterostomy ; Humans ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed