Re: Mixed Gallstones and a Theory About Their Origins

This is a very quick answer to feed your curiosity. There are many ways of categorising gallstones. For the common condition of biliary stasis there are possible four types of cholelithiasis (formation of gallstones).

1. Most commonly saturated bile forms green Gallstones that are found in the bile ducts and gallbladder.
2. When the gallbladder becomes blocked it still process mucus and the stones get lighter in colour until they are white.
3. Stones that form in the liver are brown in colour from bilirubin.
4. Concentrated bile precipitates in the ileum forming green secondary choleliths.

The stones the bile ducts and gallbladder neck can become calcified by bicarbonate present in hepatic bile.

There are other conditions where other types of stones can form, for example, too much iron can cause black stones.

Regards Telman Tweet