Clinical features and classification of hepatolithiasis.

A newer classification of hepatolithiasis based on the prevailing pathology was applied to 59 cases of hepatolithiasis. The results indicated once again the preponderance of stones and strictures in the left lateral segmental ducts. In addition, involvement of peripheral segmental ducts is most commonly found in the anterior inferior area of the right hepatic lobe and in the left lateral inferior area duct of the left lateral hepatic segment. Such incidence of segmental or area involvement is expected to rise because of improved techniques for imaging the hepatobiliary tree. The disease classification presently used offers several advantages. It is solely based on an exact description of the prevailing pathology and therefore is devoid of subjective bias such as that involved in designating without much factual basis whether disease is primary or secondary or is congenital or acquired. The coding used offers easier compilation of data, which can be stored in a computer for later retrieval and computation.