The Natural History of Silent Gallstones

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Abstract
ABOUT 15 million Americans have gallstones.1 A majority of these gallstones are silent (painless).2 , 3 Should silent gallstones be treated prophylactically or left alone? The answer depends in part on their natural history. Whereas Sir William Osler believed that most gallstones caused no symptoms,4 William Mayo regarded "innocent" gallstones as a myth.5 Their natural history remains controversial.6 This study reports the outcome of silent gallstone disease that was detected by cholecystographic screening of a healthy population. The study group, 110 men and 13 women, consisted of faculty members at the University of Michigan. A complete follow-up revealed that none had died . . .

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