CYSTIC DUCT VISUAL-BASED EVALUATION OF GALLSTONES FORMATION RISK FACTORS

Gallstones are commonly related to the super-saturation of bile with cholesterol in the presence of nucleating agents. Clinical evidence show that gallstones are frequent in healthy persons with complex cystic ducts geometry, an indication that fluid mechanics of the bile flow may play a role in the formation of gallstones. In order to evaluate this role, correlations between idealized cystic duct geometry and the pressure drop across it have been determined both experimentally and numerically simulated with Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) technique.This work presented here forms part of a larger project to understand the functions of the human cystic duct, especially the influence of its various anatomical structures on the resistance to bile flow, to provide insight into the pathogenesis of gallstone formation and the origins of biliary pain. This eventually will lead to the development of a vision based risk factors system to aid the medical consultants to assess the likelihood of a person developing gallstone.