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Minerva Medica 2001 August;92(4):227-44

Copyright © 2001 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: Italian

Cholelithiasis: from epidemiology to therapy

Pellicano R., Palmas F., Astegiano M., Vanni E., Leone N., Bresso F., Rizzetto M.

The diagnosis of cholelithiasis, more and more common with the wide diffusion of abdominal ultrasound, is often a surprise for the patient as well as for the physician who is sometimes forced to take a therapeutical decision. In the case of dilatation of the biliary duct, the cholangioRM is assuming an increasingly important role, especially before a therapeutical ERCP. The best therapeutical approach seems to be the surgical ablation in laparoscopy in presence of specific signs and symptoms. Indication to surgical ablation is a symptomatic or complicated cholelithiasis, or the history of obstructive pancreatitis. A preventive cholecystectomy can be useful for precancerous lesions.