Maryum Mehboob5 months ago

Pigment gallstones

Pigment gallstone are the stone found in the biliary tree. They are of two main types: Black stones: Found in the sterile gallbladder. Numerous and fragile. Browns stones: Found in intrahepatic and extrahepatic ducts infected by microorganisms. Few in number and are greasy and soap like due to fatty acids. Common causes of pigment gallstone formation are: 1. Asians 2. Chronic haemolytic diseases like sickle cell anemia 3. Infection of biliary tree 4. Gastrointestinal disorders like Crohn disease, ideal resection bypass These stones are made up of unconjucated bilirubin, calcium salts, mucin glycoproteins and cholesterol. Picture credit: https://emedicine.medscape.com/article/175667-overview