thesis
Radiological aspects of nonsurgical therapy of gallbladder stones
- Publication date
- 15 April 1992
- Publisher
- In the western world gallstones are a common finding in adults. Epidemiologic studies
in Italy [1-3] reported the prevalence of gallstones to be between 8.3% [1] and 13.9%
[3]. The prevalence increases with age and is higher for females. Over the age of 50
years the prevalence is 10-15% for males and 20-25% for females [4]. Although 80%
of the subjects with gallstones are free of symptoms [3], gallstone disease is a major
health problem. It is reported to be one of the most common causes of hospitalization
for surgical procedures [5]. In the United States 500,000 - 600,000 cholecystectomies
are performed annually with an estimated cost of over 1 billion dollars [5].
Cholecystectomy has a hospital stay of approximately 5 days and a subsequent
significant disability of 3-6 weeks. It is a safe and effective procedure and has been the
standard therapy for more than 100 years. McSherry [6] recently reviewed records of
more than 14,000 cases over half a century of surgically treated patients with gallstones.
The total mortality rate was I. 7% with age being the most important risk factor. The
mortality rate was 0.4% in patients under 50 years, !.5% in patients between 50 and 65
years and 4.5% in patients 65 years and older. When elective cholecystectomy was
performed the mortality rate was 0.09% for patients under 50 years and 0.8% for
patients over 50 years.