Gallstones

Gallstones are estimated to affect over 20 million people in the United Sta tes. Recent studies have clarified the role of various dietary components i n gallstone disease. Also, insulin resistance has been demonstrated to be a risk factor for gallstones. Other research has focused on the pathophysiol ogy of gallstones and on clarifying the underlying mechanisms of previously noted risk factors for gallstones. New techniques for the noninvasive diag nosis of bile duct stones continue to be developed and tested. These techni ques include computed tomography and magnetic resonance cholangiography. Th e impact and appropriateness of laparoscopic cholecystectomy continue to de bated, and studies point to both overuse and underuse of this operation in the management of the disease. Curr Opin Gastroenterol 2001, 17:463-467 (C) 2001 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, Inc.