title: Endoscopic removal of large common bile duct stones in recurrent pyogenic cholangitis.
abstract: It is not uncommon to find large stones obstructing the bile duct in patients with recurrent pyogenic cholangitis. In a series of 291 patients with cholangitis, 32 patients had stones more than 2 cm in diameter. Endoscopic extraction using a combination of large baskets, 1% EDTA flushing, and manual or mechanical lithotripsy allowed the common bile duct to be cleared in 50% of patients. Lack of space in the common bile duct to open the retrieval basket because of stone impaction was the major reason for failure.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde; D002761:Cholangitis / Q000150:complications*; D004492:Edetic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D042882:Gallstones / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D013105:Sphincterotomy, Transduodenal
chemical_list: D004492:Edetic Acid