Webster's New World Medical Dictionary

bile sludge
See 
biliary sludge.
bilharzia
A schistosome, a trematode worm par-
asite. Three main species of these worms—
Schistosoma haematobium, S. japonicum, and S.
mansoni—cause disease in humans. Larval forms
of the parasite live in freshwater snails. When the
parasite is liberated from the snail, it burrows into
the skin, transforms to the schistosomulum stage,
and migrates to the urinary tract (S. haematobium),
or liver or intestine (S. japonicum or S. mansoni),
where the adult worms develop. Eggs are shed into
the urinary tract or the intestine, where they hatch
to form another form of the parasite, called
miracidia, that can then infect snails again, com-
pleting the parasite’s life cycle. Also known as schis-
tosomiasis.
biliary
Having to do with the gallbladder, bile
ducts, or bile. The biliary system consists of the gall-
bladder, bile ducts, and bile. See also 
bile.
biliary cirrhosis, primary
See 
cirrhosis, pri-
mary biliary.
biliary sand
A term used by surgeons to describe
small particles in bile that are visible to the naked
eye and are large enough to be counted easily in a
gallbladder that has been removed. Biliary sand may
be looked upon as a stage of growth between bilary
sludge, which is made up of microscopic particles,
and gallstones. The composition of biliary sand
varies but is similar to that of gallstones, the most
common components being cholesterol crystals and
calcium salts. Biliary sand may cause no symptoms,
or it may cause intermittent symptoms, including
pain in the abdomen, nausea, and vomiting, partic-
ularly after a fatty meal. Biliary sand can cause com-
plications, including inflammation of the pancreas
(pancreatitis) and inflammation of the gallbladder
(cholecystitis). Biliary sand can often be detected by
an ultrasound of the abdomen. If patients with bil-
iary sand develop symptoms or complications, gall-
bladder removal (cholecystectomy) is performed.
See also 
gallstone.
biliary sludge
Microscopic particulate matter in
bile. The composition of biliary sludge varies. The
most common particulate components are choles-
terol crystals and calcium salts. Biliary sludge has
been associated with certain conditions, including
rapid weight loss, fasting, pregnancy, the use of cer-
tain medications (for example, ceftriaxone,
octreotide), and bone marrow or solid organ trans-
plantation. However, it most commonly occurs in
individuals with no identifiable conditions. Biliary
sludge can be considered microscopic gallstones.
Biliary sludge usually causes no symptoms, and it
may appear and disappear over time. It may, how-
ever, cause intermittent pain in the abdomen, often
with nausea and vomiting. Biliary sludge may also
cause more serious complications, including
inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) and
inflammation of the gallbladder (cholecystitis).
Biliary sludge can be detected with ultrasound of the
abdomen, or by directly examining bile content
under a microscope. If patients with biliary sludge
develop symptoms or complications, the gallblad-
der may be removed. See also 
gallstone.