BACKGROUND: Globalization and intercontinental migration have not just changed the socioeconomic status of regions, but have also altered disease dynamics across the globe. Hepatolithiasis, although still rare, is becoming increasingly evident in the West because of immigration from the Asia-Pacific region, where the disease prevails in endemic proportions. Such rare but emerging diseases pose a therapeutic challenge to doctors. METHODS: Here, we briefly introduce the topic of hepatolithiasis and describe features of intrahepatic stones, the aetiology of hepatolithiasis and the symptoms and sequelae of the condition. We then provide a comprehensive review of the various management modalities currently in use to treat hepatolithiasis. CONCLUSIONS: In our opinion, and as is evident from the literature, surgery remains the definitive treatment for hepatolithiasis. However, non-surgical procedures such as cholangiography, although limited in their therapeutic capabilities, play a vital role in diagnosis and preoperative evaluation.
BACKGROUND: Globalization and intercontinental migration have not just changed the socioeconomic status of regions, but have also altered disease dynamics across the globe. Hepatolithiasis, although still rare, is becoming increasingly evident in the West because of immigration from the Asia-Pacific region, where the disease prevails in endemic proportions. Such rare but emerging diseases pose a therapeutic challenge to doctors. METHODS: Here, we briefly introduce the topic of hepatolithiasis and describe features of intrahepatic stones, the aetiology of hepatolithiasis and the symptoms and sequelae of the condition. We then provide a comprehensive review of the various management modalities currently in use to treat hepatolithiasis. CONCLUSIONS: In our opinion, and as is evident from the literature, surgery remains the definitive treatment for hepatolithiasis. However, non-surgical procedures such as cholangiography, although limited in their therapeutic capabilities, play a vital role in diagnosis and preoperative evaluation.
Authors: David G Perdue; Oliver W Cass; Carlos Milla; Jordan Dunitz; Jose Jessurun; Harvey L Sharp; Sarah J Schwarzenberg Journal: Dig Dis Sci Date: 2007-04-19 Impact factor: 3.199
Authors: Wigdan Al-Sukhni; Steven Gallinger; Ariella Pratzer; Alice Wei; C S Ho; Paul Kortan; Bryce R Taylor; David R Grant; Ian McGilvray; Mark S Cattral; Bernard Langer; Paul D Greig Journal: J Gastrointest Surg Date: 2007-11-13 Impact factor: 3.452
Authors: Ahmet Öztürk; Mehmet Giray Sönmez; Süleyman Bakdık; Yunus Emre Göger; Mehmet Serkan Özkent; Faruk Aksoy; Metin Belviranlı Journal: Turk J Urol Date: 2017-08-01