Medical therapy can be tried in gallstone patients with:: (A) Contracted and small non functioning gallbladder, (B) Radiolucent gallstones, (C) Gallstones of size < 30 mm in diameter, (D) Gallstone pancreatitis
Answer is B. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) decreases cholesterol saturation of bile. In carefully selected patients with functioning gallbladder and with radiolucent stones <10 mm in diameter, complete dissolution with UDCA can be achieved in 50% of patients within 6 months to 2 years. Reference: Harrisons Principles of Internal Medicine, 18th Edition, Page 2621