Ms. Gia, a 56-year-old woman, experienced severe pain in the right lower quadrant that extended to her back, along with fever, chills and tremors. After a thorough examination by a doctor, it was discovered that she had stones blocking her liver ducts, leading to abscesses and causing a biliary tract infection.
The results of an MRI scan showed that Ms. Gia had dilated intrahepatic bile ducts and stones blocking the left hepatic duct, extending to the common hepatic duct. Given her critical condition, surgery was recommended to relieve her pain, infection and prevent further complications.
During the surgery, the doctor removed many large stones and abscesses from Ms. Gia’s liver. A common bile duct tunnel was created to remove the stones and drain the bile duct. Post-operatively, Ms. Gia recovered well and was discharged from the hospital after six days.
Intrahepatic bile duct stones or hepatolithiasis are quite common in Asia and can lead to severe infections if left untreated. Doctor Bich recommends preventive measures such as maintaining good hygiene, deworming every six months and regular health check-ups for those at risk of bile duct stones.
It is crucial to detect stones early to facilitate their removal and prevent severe complications. Symptoms of bile duct stones may include abdominal pain, jaundice, fever and weight loss. People with a history of bile duct stones should seek medical attention promptly if they experience any unusual symptoms.
