Treatment of gallstones by chenodeoxycholic acid.

Twenty-three patients with radiolucent gallstones in a functioning gallbladder were treated by orally administered chenodeoxycholic acid (750 mg/day) for periods ranging from six to 24 months. Complete dissolution of gallstones occurred in five patients, and partial dissolution occurred in four patients--an over-all response of 39%. Side effects of the treatment were minimal. Stone size was the major factor which influenced outcome, as seven of 15 patients with stones less than 1 cm in diameter had a reduction in stone size or dissolution of stones. It is recommended that chenodeoxycholic acid treatment should be reserved for the treatment of patients with radiolucent stones which are less than 1.5 cm in diameter.