What are the symptoms of right intrahepatic bile duct stones?

Right intrahepatic bile duct stones may cause persistent or intermittent pain in the right upper abdomen, accompanied by fever, nausea, jaundice and other symptoms. In severe cases, cholangitis or gallbladder dysfunction may occur. Patients are advised to seek medical attention as soon as possible for a clear diagnosis.

The pain of right intrahepatic bile duct stones is usually located in the right upper abdomen, exacerbated in paroxysmal forms, and may be accompanied by nausea or vomiting. If the stones cause bile duct obstruction, it may lead to bile stasis, jaundice symptoms such as yellow skin and sclera, and may be accompanied by acute cholangitis manifestations such as chills and high fever. Many patients may also experience non-specific symptoms such as indigestion and loss of appetite. If symptoms recur and are not controlled in time, the stones may permanently damage the function of the hepatobiliary system, and further cause serious complications such as gallbladder necrosis and liver abscess.

To prevent further deterioration of the disease, patients should be examined and treated as soon as possible. Examination methods include abdominal ultrasound, magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) and liver function tests to determine the size and location of the stones. In terms of treatment, mild patients can relieve pain with antispasmodics and analgesics such as ibuprofen, combined with oral ursodeoxycholic acid to help dissolve small stones. Moderate patients are suitable for direct stone removal through endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), or combined with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy. For severe patients or recurrent cases, surgical treatment may be required, such as minimally invasive laparoscopic bile duct exploration or partial hepatic lobectomy to remove the cause.

Avoid high-fat, high-cholesterol diets, eat more fruits and vegetables with high fiber content to promote bile flow and help prevent gallstone formation. Moderate exercise to maintain a healthy weight and avoid overeating can effectively reduce the chance of gallstone recurrence. If right upper abdominal discomfort persists, seek medical attention as soon as possible to confirm the cause to avoid worsening symptoms that affect the quality of life.