title: [Current concepts of lithogenetic mechanism in the gallbladder and the role of biliary sludge in this process].
abstract: A review of current data on cholelithiasis is presented. The concept of staged development of the pathological process in the biliary system is considered starting from dysfunction of gallbladder and sphincter apparatus of extrahepatic biliary ducts via chronic acalculous cholecystitis to chronic calculous cholecystitis. Other issues discussed include biliary acid metabolism; varieties, composition and formation of calculi in the gallbladder; biliary sludge and its role in cholelithogenesis. Debatable questions of sludge nature and composition as well as certain terminological problems are considered.
authors.forename: Ia S
authors.initials: IaS
authors.lastname: Tsimmerman
mesh_terms: D001646:Bile / Q000378:metabolism*; D001647:Bile Acids and Salts / Q000378:metabolism*; D041761:Cholecystolithiasis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000378:metabolism*; D005704:Gallbladder / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D001647:Bile Acids and Salts