Gallstones in the bile duct
An overview of Providence Health Care's services and resources for patients with gallstones in the bile duct.
Overview
Gallstones are small stones that form inside your gallbladder. They can get stuck in your common bile duct. This condition is also known as choledocholithiasis.
Your gallbladder sits under your liver. It stores bile, a liquid that helps digest food. Bile moves from your liver to your small intestine through a network of bile duct tubes.
Gallstones can be as small as specks or as big as your gallbladder. Usually, they stay in the gallbladder or are small enough to pass through your bile ducts. If a gallstone is large or blocks your common bile duct, it can cause severe symptoms.
Diagnosis & testing
We usually only find gallstones in your bile duct if you have symptoms.
To diagnose this condition, we will order blood tests. These tests check your blood cell and bile levels. They also give us information on how your liver and pancreas are working. Blood tests include:
We will also send you for imaging tests. Tests include:
Treatment & management
If you have gallstones in your bile duct, we will want to remove them right away.
Often, we will remove the gallstones during an ERCP procedure. (See above.) We will pass special tools through the endoscope to remove the gallstones. We may also make a surgical cut to the opening of the bile duct. This is called a sphincterotomy.
Sometimes, we may need to be referred too surgery to remove the gallstones or your gallbladder.
Clinics that treat gallstones in the bile duct
Support services
Providence Health Care offers a variety of services to support those we care for. The following services may be of use or benefit to you and your families.
Support for Indigenous Peoples
The Indigenous Wellness Liaison Team is here to support your health journey. Team members offer cultural support and healthcare advocacy. Learn more below or call them at 604-682-2344,62937 or email IWL@providencehealth.bc.ca.
Education & resources
Clinical trials & research
Advances in treatments for gallstones in the bile duct are all thanks to medical research. While participating in research is a decision you should make in consultation with your care team, there is much activity in this field. Please ask us about our research programs if you’re interested.
By taking part in research, you can help us all learn more about heart disease. You can also help us find better ways to help people like you live and thrive. Even if you don't benefit directly, your participation can help care for future patients.
The following clinical trials are currently enrolling volunteers. Please ask your care team for more information. You can also contact the research team listed on each study or trial. For other information about research at Providence Health Care, please visit Providence Research.