The pathogenesis of gallstone formation in the biliary duct remains unknown. However, numerous factors associated with their origin appear to be of importance. With regard to the formation of concretions in the biliary duct, there are adequate findings concerning the effects of benign or malignant strictures, of bacterial infection and parasites, and of metabolic changes and dietary habits, as well as those of anatomical conditions in the bilioduodenal region [[1]
[2]
[3]
[4]
[5]
[6]]. However, there are only sporadic reports about foreign material as a cause of lithiasis [[7]
[8]
[9]].
The aim of the present study was to investigate the structure of gallstones obtained endoscopically from the biliary duct, in order to determine whether foreign material may lead to choledocholithiasis. In addition, the correlation between foreign material in gallstones and clinical data was investigated.
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Goodhart GL, Levison ME, Trotman BW, et al.
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Bergmann M, Borner R, Winnefeld K, et al.
Clinical, infrared spectroscopic and chemical analysis of bile duct and gallbladder stones (in German).
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Toouli J, Geenen JE, Hogan WJ, et al.
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