On the mechanical behavior of the human biliary system.
World J Gastroenterol
; 13(9): 1384-92, 2007 Mar 07.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-17457970
ABSTRACT
This paper reviews the progress made in understanding the mechanical behaviour of the biliary system. Gallstones and diseases of the biliary tract affect more than 10% of the adult population. The complications of gallstones, i.e. acute pancreatitis and obstructive jandice, can be lethal, and patients with acalculous gallbladder pain often pose diagnostic difficulties and undergo repeated ultrasound scans and oral cholecystograms. Moreover, surgery to remove the gallbladder in these patients, in an attempt to relieve the symptoms, gives variable results. Extensive research has been carried out to understand the physiological and pathological functions of the biliary system, but the mechanism of the pathogenesis of gallstones and pain production still remain poorly understood. It is believed that the mechanical factors play an essential role in the mechanisms of the gallstone formation and biliary diseases. However, despite the extensive literature in clinical studies, only limited work has been carried out to study the biliary system from the mechanical point of view. In this paper, we discuss the state of art knowledge of the fluid dynamics of bile flow in the biliary tract, the solid mechanics of the gallbladder and bile ducts, recent mathematical and numerical modelling of the system, and finally the future challenges in the area.
Texto completo:
1
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Sistema Biliar
/
Esvaziamento da Vesícula Biliar
/
Modelos Teóricos
Tipo de estudo:
Prognostic_studies
Limite:
Humans
Idioma:
En
Revista:
World J Gastroenterol
Assunto da revista:
GASTROENTEROLOGIA
Ano de publicação:
2007
Tipo de documento:
Article
País de afiliação:
Reino Unido