What is a bile duct stone?
Bile duct stones (choledocholithiasis) are gallstones that are present in the bile ducts, sometimes within the cystic duct of the gallbladder but more frequently in the common bile duct. Most gallstones are formed in the gallbladder and if small enough, it will pass out into the cystic duct and then into the common bile duct (CBD) along with the flow of bile. These stones may lodge in the duct and become impacted thereby causing a blockage of the duct. Most small stones, however, will pass out with the bile into the duodenum of the small intestine. Less frequently, a stone may originate within the hepatic or common bile duct and this is referred to as a primary bile duct stone.
