[Cholesterol gallstone pathogenesis]

Abstract

Theoretically formation of cholesterol gallstone includes four steps, each one necessary for the next: 1) Metabolic or genetic defect, 2) Formation of supersaturated bilis, 3) Nucleation and 4) Growing of cholesterol crystals. In this work we review biliary physiology, each one of the mentionated steps and gallbladder alterations that have been to date investigated during lithogenesis.