Pigment Gallstones

Comments:
Pigmented gallstones may be black (shown here) or brown. The color is due to precipitates of unconjugated bilirubin.

Larger gallstones rarely enter and block the cystic duct or the common bile duct. It is the smaller stones (such as shown here) that are likely to enter and block the ducts resulting in obstructive cholestasis (jaundice).