How dangerous are gallstones?

Gallstones are a condition where bile pigments are deposited, forming biliary sludge or stones within the bile ducts, causing stagnation and obstruction of bile flow. This is one of the common gallbladder diseases in tropical countries, said Dr. Do Tuan Anh, Head of the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, Viet Duc Friendship Hospital, on August 30.

According to Dr. Tuan Anh, there have been many advances in the diagnosis and treatment of gallstones, and the number of patients hospitalized has not decreased. Some people with gallstones in the gallbladder or liver have no clear symptoms; when they experience prolonged pain, high fever, jaundice, yellow urine, etc., the disease has already caused serious complications.

Gallstones in the main bile ducts, including those in the common bile duct, common hepatic duct, and the initial segments of the right and left hepatic ducts, are more serious than gallstones in the gallbladder, even if they are newly formed. This condition often causes dangerous complications such as septic shock from the biliary tract, biliary peritonitis, and biliary tract necrosis. Patients need surgery as soon as possible.

Doctor Tuan Anh examines a patient with gallstones. Photo: KO

The symptoms of gallstones vary from person to person. The location of the stones in the body also causes different signs of the disease. The typical symptoms of gallstones are:

- Right lower rib pain: The pain usually occurs in the right lower rib area or epigastric region, radiating to the right shoulder and back. The pain is typically dull or intense, depending on the location of the stones.

- Fever and chills: Patients with a cold may experience symptoms due to biliary tract infection or cholecystitis; fever above 38 degrees Celsius accompanied by chills and profuse sweating after the fever subsides.

- Digestive disorders: Some gallstone patients experience aversion to fatty foods, heartburn, bloating, indigestion, etc. These symptoms are easily misdiagnosed as other gastrointestinal diseases or stomach pain, leading to inappropriate treatment.

- Jaundice: The degree of jaundice varies depending on the progression of gallstones. This symptom is often accompanied by intense itching.

Early detection of gallstones leads to effective treatment and prevents dangerous complications such as bile leakage into the peritoneum and biliary peritonitis; acute pancreatitis due to gallstones; biliary bleeding; purulent cholangitis and hepatobiliary abscess. Septic shock from biliary tract infection is a serious complication, commonly seen in older adults, affecting 75% of patients over 50 years old. It is a leading cause of death.

Furthermore, gallstones can cause chronic complications such as biliary cirrhosis and cholangiocarcinoma. The bile ducts in the liver are gradually destroyed, toxic substances accumulate in the liver, and sometimes lead to scarring of the liver tissue (cirrhosis).