Chenodiol for Gallstones: Dissolution or Disillusion?
Authors: KURT J. ISSELBACHER
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1981)

Editorials1 September 1981Chenodiol for Gallstones: Dissolution or Disillusion?KURT J. ISSELBACHER, M.D.KURT J. ISSELBACHER, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-95-3-377 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptIt has been approximately 10 years since Danziger and associates (1) reported that oral administration of chenodiol (chenodeoxycholic acid) was effective in dissolving cholesterol gallstones. Their observations provided the first hope that there might be an alternative to cholecystectomy for patients with gallstones. Subsequently, numerous reports supported the initial findings, and there was understandable enthusiasm in the United States and elsewhere about the future role of chenodiol in gallstone dissolution. Because data on the drug's safety and efficacy were inadequate, however, the National Cooperative Gallstone Study was initiated to obtain more information about the usefulness and risks of chenodiol treatment...References1. DANZIGERHOFMANNSCHOENFIELDTHISTLE RALJ. Dissolution of cholesterol gallstones by chenodeoxycholic acid. N Engl J Med. 1972;286:1-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. SCHOENFIELDLACHIN LJ. Chenodiol (chenodeoxycholic acid) for dissolution of gallstones: The National Cooperative Gallstone Study: a controlled trial of efficacy and safety. Ann Intern Med. 1981;95:257-82. LinkGoogle Scholar3. FEDOROWSKISALENZAKISHEFERMOSBACH TGGSE. Comparative effects of ursodeoxycholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid in the Rhesus monkey: biochemical and ultrastructural studies. Gastroenterology. 1978;74:75-81. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. . Efficacy and indications of ursodeoxycholic acid treatment for dissolving gallstones: a multicenter double-blind trial. 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Google Scholar10. COOPERBERGBURHENNE PH. Realtime ultrasonography. N Engl J Med. 1980;302:1277-9. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar11. HESSLERHILLDETORIEROCCO PDFA. High accuracy sonographic recognition of gallstones. Am J Roentgenol. 1981;136:517-20. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar12. BENNIONGRUNDY LS. Effects of obesity and caloric intake on biliary lipid metabolism in man. J Clin Invest. 1975;56:996-1011. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar13. ISSELBACHER K. A medical treatment for gallstones? N Engl J Med. 1972;286:40-2. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAuthors: KURT J. ISSELBACHER, M.D.Affiliations: Gastrointestinal Unit Massachusetts General Hospital Boston, Massachusetts PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byKey discoveries in bile acid chemistry and biology and their clinical applications: history of the last eight decadesGALLSTONE-DISSOLVING AGENTSAddition of N-acetylcysteine to aqueous model bile systems accelerates dissolution of cholesterol gallstonesAgents for gallstone dissolutionEfficacy and safety of a combination of chenodeoxycholic acid and ursodeoxycholic acid for gallstone dissolution: A comparison with ursodeoxycholic acid aloneA primer on gallstonesCheno- plus Ursodeoxycholic AcidAgents for gallstone dissolutionShock-Wave LithotripsyOral Medical TherapyThe National Cooperative Gallstone Study and current management of cholesterol cholelithiasis—Two viewsThe National Cooperative Gallstone Study and current management of cholesterol cholelithiasis—Two viewsCholelitholytic agentsDrugs used in the management of gallstonesAdvice for the Patient with Silent GallstonesUrsodeoxycholic acid in the treatment of cholesterol cholelithiasis part IIWho needs urso?An Optimistic View of the National Cooperative Gallstone StudyGastroenterologyProspects for Chenodiol TherapyBEN E. GREENWELL, PH.D. 1 September 1981Volume 95, Issue 3Page: 377-379KeywordsCholecystectomyCholesterolDrug safetyForecastingOral administrationSafety studies ePublished: 1 December 2008 Issue Published: 1 September 1981 PDF downloadLoading ...