How long can you live with intrahepatic bile duct stones or calcification?

The survival period of patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones or calcification depends on the severity of the disease and the treatment effect. Timely medical treatment and standardized treatment can significantly improve the prognosis. Intrahepatic bile duct stones or calcification are caused by factors such as cholestasis, infection, and metabolic abnormalities. Treatment methods include drug litholysis, endoscopic lithotomy, surgical resection, etc. At the same time, it is necessary to adjust the diet structure and lifestyle habits.

1. Causes of intrahepatic bile duct stones or calcification include cholestasis, biliary infection, metabolic abnormalities and genetic factors. Cholestasis may be caused by bile duct stenosis or tumor compression, which prevents bile from being discharged normally, forming stones or calcification. Biliary tract infections such as bacterial or parasitic infections can cause inflammation and stone formation. Metabolic abnormalities such as hypercholesterolemia or diabetes may lead to changes in bile composition and increase the risk of stones. Genetic factors such as familial cholelithiasis may also increase the probability of disease.

2. Drug treatment is a common method for intrahepatic bile duct stones or calcification. Ursodeoxycholic acid can dissolve cholesterol stones and reduce the concentration of cholesterol in bile. Antibiotics are used to control bile duct infection, reduce inflammation and stone formation. Choleretic drugs such as sodium cholate can promote bile secretion and help stones to be discharged.

3. Endoscopic lithotomy is a minimally invasive treatment method. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can directly remove stones and relieve bile duct obstruction. Endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) can expand the bile duct opening to facilitate the discharge of stones. Endoscopic balloon dilatation can dilate narrow bile ducts and improve bile drainage.

4. Surgical treatment is suitable for complex or severe intrahepatic bile duct stones or calcification. Hepatic lobectomy can remove the diseased liver lobe and completely remove stones and calcification. Choledochojejunostomy can reconstruct the bile duct and improve bile drainage. Liver transplantation is the last choice for end-stage liver disease and can completely solve the problem of intrahepatic bile duct stones or calcification.

5. Dietary adjustment is essential for the management of intrahepatic bile duct stones or calcification. A low-fat diet can reduce the concentration of cholesterol in bile and reduce the risk of stone formation. A high-fiber diet such as whole grains, vegetables and fruits can promote bile excretion and prevent bile stasis. Avoiding high-cholesterol foods such as animal offal and egg yolks can reduce the cholesterol content in bile.

6. Improvement of lifestyle habits can help prevent and manage intrahepatic bile duct stones or calcification. Regular exercise such as walking, swimming and yoga can promote bile excretion and prevent bile stasis. Maintaining a healthy weight and avoiding obesity can reduce the risk of metabolic abnormalities. Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol consumption can reduce damage to the liver and help maintain normal secretion and excretion of bile.

The survival period of patients with intrahepatic bile duct stones or calcification is closely related to the severity of the disease and the treatment effect. Timely medical treatment and standardized treatment are the key to improving prognosis. Through drug treatment, endoscopic stone removal, surgical treatment, dietary adjustment and improvement of lifestyle habits, the disease can be effectively controlled, the quality of life can be improved, and the survival period can be prolonged.