If the stones do not cause symptoms, no intervention is necessary, just monitoring. Biliary colic, however, once the acute phase has passed, is treated surgically (through removal of the gallbladder) in the vast majority of cases. There is also the possibility of resorting to a pharmacological therapy which involves dissolution with bile acids.
Acute cholecystitis occurs when the stone moves inside the gallbladder and blocks the cystic duct. If the stone goes beyond the gallbladder and enters the common bile duct, it can cause acute dilation or get stuck there, causing cholangitis or acute pancreatitis.
When you have severe colic caused by stones in the common bile duct, you must first remove the stone by endoscopy and then consider removing the gallbladder because other, perhaps more serious, episodes could occur.
However, there are some conditions in which the gallbladder must be removed even in the absence of biliary colic, i.e. in the case of: porcelain gallbladder, a condition which is associated with an increased risk of gallbladder cancer; polyps.
The first symptoms should never be underestimated, it is necessary to refer as soon as possible to a gastroenterologist who will be able to investigate and plan the most correct therapy.
Valentina Carlile - Osteopath expert in Osteopathy applied to voice and speech disorders since 2002. For information and reservations visit the page Contacts