title: Advances in the endoscopic management of common bile duct stones.
abstract: Extraction of common bile duct stones by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography generally involves biliary sphincterotomy, endoscopic papillary balloon dilation or a combination of both. Endoscopic papillary large-balloon dilation after sphincterotomy has increased the safety of large stone extraction. Cholangioscopically directed electrohydraulic and laser lithotripsy using single-operator mother-daughter systems or direct peroral cholangioscopy using ultraslim endoscopes are increasingly utilized for the management of refractory stones. In this Review, we focus on advances in endoscopic approaches and techniques, with a special emphasis on management strategies for 'difficult' common bile duct stones.
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, MMC 36, 406 Harvard Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
authors.forename: Guru
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Trikudanathan
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, MMC 36, 406 Harvard Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
authors.forename: Mustafa A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Arain
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, MMC 36, 406 Harvard Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
authors.forename: Rajeev
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Attam
authors.affiliation: Division of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition, University of Minnesota, MMC 36, 406 Harvard Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
authors.forename: Martin L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Freeman
mesh_terms: D002760:Cholangiopancreatography, Endoscopic Retrograde / Q000379:methods*; D042882:Gallstones / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000379:methods*; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000628:therapy; D057792:Mirizzi Syndrome / Q000628:therapy; D011183:Postoperative Complications; D015607:Stents