Complications of gallstones

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Complications of Gallstones

Gallstones may cause complications, including:

Obstruction of the common bile duct.
Inflammation or infection of the gallbladder (acute cholecystitis).
Inflammation or infection of the common bile duct (cholangitis), which can occur when gallstones get stuck in the common bile duct. Though rare, this can damage the liver or spread infection.

Inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis).

Overall, about 15% of people with gallstones have them in the common bile duct. But if you are a young person with gallstones, your chances of having them in your common bile duct are lower. Your chances of getting gallstones in your common bile duct increase as you get older. As many as 50% of elderly people with gallstones have them in the common bile duct.¹

Recommended Related to Digestive Disorders

Gastroparesis

Important It is possible that the main title of the report Gastroparesis is not the name you expected. Please check the synonyms listing to find the alternate name(s) and disorder subdivision(s) covered by this report.

Read the Gastroparesis article > >

Less common complications can include:

Severe infection with pus filling the gallbladder (empyema).
An abnormal connection (fistula) between the gallbladder and small intestine.
A large gallstone blocking the small intestine (gallstone ileus).
A hole in the gallbladder (perforation).
Gallbladder cancer.

Doctors seldom recommend surgery to remove gallstones that are not causing symptoms if the only purpose is to prevent gallbladder cancer.

Citations
Friedman LS (2010). Diseases of the biliary tract section of Liver, biliary tract, and pancreas. In SJ McPhee, MA Papadakis, eds., 2010 Current Medical Diagnosis and Treatment, 49th ed., pp. 634-641. New York: McGraw-Hill.

By	Healthwise Staff
Primary Medical Reviewer	E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer	Arvydas D. Vanagunas, MD - Gastroenterology
Last Revised	July 15, 2011

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: July 15, 2011

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any liability for the decisions you make based on this information.