Right hepatolithiasis and abnormal hepatic duct confluence: more than a casual relation?

BackgroundHepatolithiasis (HL) is a rare disease in Western countries. The aim of our study was to investigate a possible relation between the development of right HL and abnormalities of the hepatic duct confluence.Material and methodsFourteen patients who presented with localized right-sided HL were included in this study. The anatomy of hepatic duct confluence in this group of patients was analyzed and compared with the anatomy of hepatic duct confluence in the general population.ResultsThe Presence of a shift of 1 of the 2 sectorial right ducts was significantly associated with right-sided HL (P = .003).ConclusionsThe shift of a sectorial right duct must be considered as one of the anatomic causes of HL. This finding must be considered when surgical treatment of HL is planned.