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Cholelithiasis, commonly known as gallstones, refers to the formation of concretions within the gallbladder or bile ducts. These stones are typically composed of crystalline substances like cholesterol, bile pigments, and calcium salts.12

There are three main types of gallstones:
* Cholesterol stones: The most common type, formed when bile contains too much cholesterol and not enough bile salts or lecithin to keep it dissolved.13
* Pigment stones: Composed primarily of calcium bilirubinate, often associated with conditions causing rapid red blood cell destruction, such as sickle cell anemia.3
* Mixed stones: A combination of cholesterol and bilirubin.3

Predisposing factors include liver damage, chronic gallbladder disease, obesity, and certain hereditary blood disorders. While gallstones may cause no symptoms, they can lead to inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis) or severe pain (biliary colic) if they obstruct bile ducts. Treatment options range from surgical removal of the gallbladder to medical dissolution of stones using bile acids, though the latter requires long-term commitment.13

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