Document Detail


Analysis of radiolucent gallstones by computed tomography for in vivo estimation of stone components.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  2121509     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Successful oral litholytic and other nonoperative therapies of gallstones require exact determination of the stone components. Since computed tomography (CT) provides highly sensitive measurement of density, we performed a study to evaluate whether CT measurement of stone density allows a prediction of the composition of radiolucent gallstones. Twenty-eight patients presenting with 29 radiolucent gallbladder (n = 17) or common bile duct stones (n = 12) were included. Prior to operative or endoscopic therapy the attenuation values (Hounsfield Units, HU) were assessed in vivo by CT under standardized conditions (Somatom II, 125 KV, 130 mAs). After surgical or endoscopic stone removal the concrements were dehydrated, homogenized and then analysed by infra-red spectroscopy. The previously measured Hounsfield units were not known to the investigator. Eighteen cholesterol and 11 pigment stones could be identified. The attenuation values (Hounsfield units) of cholesterol stones amounting to 28-98 HU (48.7 +/- 4.4 HU) differed significantly (P less than 0.001) from pigment stones (90-120 HU/105.5 +/- 2.8 HU). We conclude that computed tomography provides exact discrimination between cholesterol and non-cholesterol stones in vivo. Since only cholesterol stones can be dissolved by cheno- and ursodeoxycholic acid we recommend measurement of the radiodensity of gallstones by CT prior to any litholytic therapy. Furthermore the prediction of the stone composition facilitates the decision on extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and the selection of specific solvents for contact lysis via a nasobiliary probe.
Authors:
A Rambow; M Staritz; U Wosiewitz; P Mildenburger; M Thelen; K H Meyer zum Büschenfelde
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Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article    
Journal Detail:
Title:  European journal of clinical investigation     Volume:  20     ISSN:  0014-2972     ISO Abbreviation:  Eur. J. Clin. Invest.     Publication Date:  1990 Aug 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  1990-12-11     Completed Date:  1990-12-11     Revised Date:  2004-11-17    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  0245331     Medline TA:  Eur J Clin Invest     Country:  ENGLAND    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  475-8     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
First Medical Department, University of Mainz, FRG.
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Bilirubin / analysis
Calcium Carbonate / analysis
Cholelithiasis / chemistry*,  radiography*,  therapy
Cholesterol / analysis
Humans
Palmitic Acid
Palmitic Acids / analysis
Proteins / analysis
Sensitivity and Specificity
Spectrophotometry, Infrared
Tomography, X-Ray Computed
Chemical
Reg. No./Substance:
0/Palmitic Acids; 0/Proteins; 471-34-1/Calcium Carbonate; 57-10-3/Palmitic Acid; 57-88-5/Cholesterol; 635-65-4/Bilirubin

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