Gallstone disease classification
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]
Overview
Classification
Size
A gallstone's size varies and may be as small as a sand grain or as large as a golf ball. The gallbladder may develop a single, often large, stone or many smaller ones. May occur in any part of the biliary system
Content
Gallstones have different appearance, depending of their contents. On the basis of their contents, gallstones can be subdivided into the two following types:
Cholesterol stones
Cholesterol stones are usually green, but are sometimes white or yellow in color and account for about 80 percent of gallstones. They are made primarily of cholesterol.
Pigment stones
Pigment stones are small, dark stones made of bilirubin and calcium salts that are found in bile. They account for the other 20 percent of gallstones. Risk factors for pigment stones include cirrhosis, biliary tract infections, and hereditary blood cell disorders, such as sickle cell anemia and spherocytosis. Stones of mixed origin also occur.