Integrated treatment of secondary hepatolithiasis. Case report

Hepatolithiasis is defined as the occurrence of stones proximal to the biliary confluence and represents a prevalent disease in South East Asia being uncommon in Western countries. Biliary sepsis, hepatic abscesses and cholangiocarcinoma are considered potential complications. The Authors describe a case of a 68 years male patient affected by a left massive intrahepatic lithiasis secondary to common duct stones and associated to acute pancreatitis. The patient refused surgery and was submitted to a conservative transhepatic percutaneous treatment. After a complete removal of intrahepatic stones and a positioning of external internal biliary drainage (14F), a laparoscopic cholecistectomy was performed. The MRI control showed a complete resolution of the intrahepatic lithiasis. Conservative transhepatic percutaneous approach to hepatolithiasis represents a safe and effective treatment allowing good medium-long term results. Surgery is recommended in case of severe hepatic fibrosis or atrophy, suspected cholangiocarcinoma or multiple strictures with biliary distorsion. Integrated therapeutical protocols in referral multidisciplinary centers-offers the best long term results.