bile duct stones

Last reviewed 01/2018

Choledocholithiasis is the term used to describe the situation in which there are gallstones in the biliary tree.

Stones in the common bile duct are usually the result of the descent of gallbladder stones. However, they may form in the bile ducts due to biliary strictures, Caroli disease, or primary or secondary sclerosing cholangitis.

In the Far East, primary bile duct stones are common and are usually associated with infection with Clonorchis sinensis.