Gall stones are generally caused by high cholesterol, infection and rarely because of hemolysis. They remain silent most of the time without causing trouble. Gall stones also called as cholelithiasis are identified on ultrasonography , which is done for flatulence or indigestion.
Gall stones may cause 5 complications:
1. Most common complication of gall stones is infection called as cholecystitis , which requires immediate attention and surgery. Surgery can be done laparoscopically called laparoscopic cholecystectomy.
2. Sometimes stone may slipdown in bile duct and get stuck at lower end. This may cause cholangitis(infection) resulting into pain, fever and jaundice to patient. It requires endoscopic removal of common bile duct stones (ERCP). Overall, about 10 to 15out of 100 people with gallstones have them in the common bile duct.
3. Gall stone may pass downand may cause acute pancreatitis. If severe it may result in necrosis ofpancreas, called as necrotizing pancreatitis which is alife threateningcomplication.
4. A large gall stone may blockintestine causing obstruction called as gall stone ileus.
5. Cancer of gall bladder is rare complication of long standing gall stones. Incidence of cancer of gallbladder is common in northern part of India.