title: [Epidemiology, risk factors and morphopathology of choledocholithiasis].
abstract: Gallstones are a major cause of morbidity worldwide, and cholecystectomies are the most common elective abdominal operations performed in the United States. Our understanding of the pathogenesis and treatment of gallstones has changed dramatically over the past decade. This article reviews the current knowledge of the epidemiology, etiology and morphopathology of common bile duct stones. Large studies in which sonographic screening or necropsy data were used to estimate the prevalence of gallstone disease in different populations and to define risk factors, amenable to prevention. Within a population, gallstones occur sporadically but not randomly; specific risk factors have been identified that predict stone formation. Based in large part on composition, gallstones are categorized as cholesterol, black pigment, or brown pigment stones, with each category having a unique epidemiology and characteristic risk factors.
authors: Facultatea de Medicina, Universitatea de Medicina şi Farmacie "Gr.T. Popa", Iaşi.
authors: Khawajeh
authors: K
authors: Abdul-Hafez
authors: Camelia
authors: C
authors: Bugioeanu
authors: Ana Catalina
authors: AC
authors: Grauenfels
mesh_terms: D042883:Choledocholithiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012383:Romania / Q000453:epidemiology