Cholesterol gallstone formation is a complex process and involves phase separation of cholesterol crystals from supersaturated bile. In most cases, cholesterol hypersecretion is considered the primary event in gallstone formation. The sterol is transported through the hepatocytic canalicular membrane by ABCG5-G8. Expression of this transport protein is regulated by transcription factor Liver X ...

BACKGROUND The consumption of trans-fatty acids adversely affects blood lipid levels. The relationship with the incidence of gallstone disease is unknown. METHODS We prospectively studied consumption of trans-fatty acids in relation to the risk of gallstone disease in a cohort of 45,912 men. trans-Fatty acid consumption was assessed using a validated semiquantitative food frequency questionna...

BACKGROUND Gallstone pancreatitis is a consequence of ampullary obstruction by common bile duct (CBD) calculi. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) has been advocated for routine use to diagnose choledocholithiasis. However, the selective use of MRCP in clinically equivocal situations has not been explored until now. This study examines the diagnostic value of selective MRCP in ga...

PURPOSE Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) has become a standard treatment of symptomatic gallstone disease. But, some patients suffer from retained common bile duct stones after LC. The aim of this study is to analyze the predicting factors associated with subsequent postoperative endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) after LC. METHODS We retrospectively reviewed a database of...

INTRODUCTION The preoperative diagnosis of gallstone ileus is challenging due to the variability of its presentation, often resulting in late diagnosis. Controversy remains regarding the management of gallstone ileus; surgery is the standard treatment, but also less invasive approaches have proven to be successful. We present an unusual case of gallstone ileus and its conservative treatment. ...

BACKGROUND Nucleation of cholesterol monohydrate crystals following the aggregation and fusion of cholesterol-enriched vesicles is a critical procedure in the formation of cholesterol gallstone. Biliary proteins play important roles in the process. It is inefficient to screen pro-nucleating or anti-nucleating proteins with routine physiochemical techniques, by which we discovered several pro-nu...

BACKGROUND Fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19) is an enteric hormone regulating bile acid de novo synthesis by sensing ileal bile acid flux. However, the role of FGF19 in cholelithiasis has not yet been elucidated and therefore is investigated in the present study. METHODS Total mRNA and protein were isolated from ileal biopsies and used for tissue expression analysis. FGF19, 7α-hydroxycholes...

Introduction. Gallstone ileus (GSI) of the colon is an extremely rare entity with potentially serious complications including perforation. Case Presentation. An 88-year-old man presented to the emergency department with abdominal pain and distension. Clinical exam revealed signs of peritonism. Computed tomography (CT) revealed GSI of the transverse colon with a closed-loop large bowel obstructi...

Introduction. Concomitant cholecystitis and gallstone pancreatitis is an infrequent clinical encounter, reported sparsely in the literature. Concurrent acute cholecystitis and pancreatitis complicated by gall bladder perforation has not been reported before. Presentation of Case. We report a 39-year-old female presenting with concomitant cholecystitis and acute pancreatitis, complicated by gall...

Gallstone ileus was first described by Bartholine in 1654, as mechanical intraluminal obstruction, caused by impaction of gallstone in the bowel lumen. The disease occurs more frequently in women than in men, in a ratio of 6:1. And mostly affecting ages over 65 years. Spontaneous biliary enteric fistula was found in 0.9% of patients undergoing biliary tract procedures. In fact, most spontaneous...