Symptoms, diagnosis and endoscopic management of common bile duct stones

Symptomatic BDS commonly cause significant morbidity and attempt at stone removal should be attempted if possible. Complications of CBDS include biliary colic, jaundice, cholangitis and pancreatitis. Investigations aimed to predict the presence of stones within the bile duct include serum bilirubin, AST, ALP, common bile duct diameter and age as independent predictors of choledocholithiasis. TUS is a sensitive test in detecting bile duct dilatation but the sensitivity is reduced in its ability to detect choledocholithiasis. A NIH consensus statement found that ERC, MRC and EUS were comparable in their sensitivities, specificities and accuracy rates for detection of choledocholithiasis. ERC and stone removal using a balloon or basket is often performed following EST. EBD may be performed if patients have uncorrected coagulopathies but the risk of pancreatitis is higher than for EST (although the risk of bleeding complications is lower for EBD). ML is often required in difficult to remove CBDS and using this device, CBDS can be removed in 90–95% of cases. Other forms of lithotripsy including laser lithotripsy and EHL are confined to specialised centres and the evidence for their use is based on small studies. ESWL may clear stones from the bile duct in up to 93% of patients but frequently ERC and stone fragment removal is required post ESWL. The role of medical therapy in difficult to remove CBDS (or in CBDS in patients with severe co-morbid illness preventing ERC + stone removal) is still currently uncertain due to a lack of large randomised control trials.