Black stone

Introduction Melanin stones mainly occur in the gallbladder and are associated with aging, cirrhosis, hemolysis, and total parenteral nutrition. Pigment stones include melanin stones and brown pigment stones.

Cause

Compared with bilirubin calcium stones, melanin stones are rare, but most occur in the gallbladder, which is a pathological stone. The stones that are complicated by hemolytic disease or cirrhosis are almost all melanin stones. Unlike bilirubin calcium stones, melanin stones have no bacterial infections around the bile.

an examination

Related inspection

Ultrasound examination of gallbladder biliary tract B-ultrasound

The incidence of melanin stones is higher in young adults, and some clinical symptoms often date back to childhood. The disease is chronic and progressive, seriously jeopardizing the health of the working people.

Differential diagnosis

Biliary pigment stones refer to bilirubin calcium stones and melanin stones.

1. The main component of bilirubin calcium stones, in addition to bilirubin, contains a small amount of calcium salts and organic matter (bacteria, eggs or epithelial cells). Stones can be found in the common bile duct, but also in the intrahepatic and extrahepatic bile duct systems, but rarely in the gallbladder. Its characteristics are: the stones are muddy or blocky, and some large stones are shaped to be consistent with the dilated bile duct. Most of the stones are brownish yellow or brownish black, loose and brittle. The occurrence of stones is closely related to diet structure, health habits, biliary infections, and biliary mites.

2. Compared with bilirubin calcium stones, melanin stones are rare, but most occur in the gallbladder, which is a pathological stone. The stones that are complicated by hemolytic disease or cirrhosis are almost all melanin stones. Unlike bilirubin calcium stones, melanin stones have no bacterial infections around the bile.

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