Biliary Disease

Biliary disease is a group of diseases that affect the bile ducts, gallbladder and other parts of the body involved in the production and transportation of bile.

If any duct in this complex system becomes diseased or blocked, a patient can become seriously sick.

Symptoms

  • Biliary disease symptoms include:
  • Yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes (jaundice)
  • Abdominal pain
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Loss of appetite
  • Fatigue
  • Fever or chills
  • Light brown urine
  • Greasy or clay-colored stools

Causes

People who are obese, eat a high-fat diet, take certain prescription medications, or have other gastrointestinal conditions can cause biliary disease. Biliary disease can also run in families. 

Diagnosis

MetroHealth can diagnose biliary disease in several different ways:

  • Blood tests
  • Liver function tests
  • Abdominal Ultrasound
  • Computed Tomography (CT) Scan
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
  • Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)

Why Choose MetroHealth for Treatment

MetroHealth offers several minimally invasive surgeries for biliary disease.

Kevin El-Hayek, MD, offers a one-stage procedure to diagnose and treat problems in the biliary system such as stone disease or unexplained bile duct dilation. This procedure is an alternative to endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP).

During an ERCP, patients undergo a separate endoscopic procedure to have their bile duct evaluated and stones removed if present. In some instances, they may also receive a stent, followed by gallbladder surgery, and finally a procedure to remove the stent – a total of three operations. In select instances, Dr. El-Hayek offers an all-in-one procedure called a laparoscopic cholecystectomy with transcystic choledochoscopy.

During this procedure, patients undergo one anesthesia and during gallbladder removal a small camera can be inserted into the bile duct. If stones are found, these can be removed in the same setting. Biopsies of the bile duct can also be obtained if indicated. Finally, patients do not require a stent when this procedure is done.  Patients go home either the same day or the next day and can quickly resume normal activities.

To learn if MetroHealth can help you with your biliary disease treatment, call 216-778-8917. 

 

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