Hepatolithiasis: Epidemiology, presentation, classification and management of a complex disease

Abstract

The term hepatolithiasis describes the presence of biliary stones within the intrahepatic bile ducts, above the hilar confluence of the hepatic ducts. The disease is more prevalent in Asia, mainly owing to socioeconomic and dietary factors, as well as the prevalence of biliary parasites. In the last century, owing to migration, its global incidence has increased. The main pathophysiological mechanisms involve cholangitis, bile infection and biliary strictures, creating a self-sustaining cycle that perpetuates the disease, frequently characterised by recurrent episodes of bacterial infection referred to as syndrome of "recurrent pyogenic cholangitis". Furthermore, long-standing hepatolithiasis is a known risk factor for development of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Various classifications have aimed at providing useful insight of clinically relevant aspects and guidance for treatment. The management of symptomatic patients and those with complications can be complex, and relies upon a multidisciplinary team of hepatologists, endoscopists, interventional radiologists and hepatobiliary surgeons, with the main goal being to offer relief from the clinical presentations and prevent the development of more serious complications. This comprehensive review provides insight on various aspects of hepatolithiasis, with a focus on epidemiology, new evidence on pathophysiology, most important clinical aspects, different classification systems and contemporary management.

Keywords: Biliary parasites; Cholangiocarcinoma; Cholangioscopy; Cholelithiasis; Hepatectomy; Intrahepatic stones; Liver transplant; Oriental cholangiohepatitis; Paediatric; Recurrent pyogenic cholangitis.

Figure 1

Topographic variations of cholelithiasis. The dashed line at the hilar ductal confluence delineates the level of differentiation between hepatolithiasis and choledocholithiasis.

Figure 2

Schematic summary of the main treatments of hepatolithiasis according to clinical presentation. POCSL: Peroral cholangioscopy with lithotomy; PTCSL: Percutaneous transhepatic cholangioscopic lithotomy.