Abstract
Dissolution of gallstones consisting of cholesterol, calcium carbonate, or calcium phosphate in different solvents left an amorphous organic gel-like substance (the matrix). Matrix from cholesterol stones could be colourless but was usually orange, yellow, or brown while that from calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate stones was almost invariably coloured black or dark brown. These pigments were also shown to be organic and amorphous. The amount of matrix present and its structure varied with the texture of the crystalline material. Irrespective of their composition, laminated pieces of material yielded compact laminated matrix of the same shape as the original piece and areas of loose crystalline material gave small pieces of non-cohesive matrix. Only large cholesterol crystals which usually radiate from the stone nucleus had no associated matrix.
Full text
PDF
Images in this article
Selected References
These references are in PubMed. This may not be the complete list of references from this article.
- Danzinger R. G., Hofmann A. F., Schoenfield L. J., Thistle J. L. Dissolution of cholesterol gallstones by chenodeoxycholic acid. N Engl J Med. 1972 Jan 6;286(1):1–8. doi: 10.1056/NEJM197201062860101. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- KING J. S., Jr, BOYCE W. H. Analysis of renal calculous matrix compared with some other matrix materials and with uromucoid. Arch Biochem Biophys. 1959 Jun;82(2):455–461. doi: 10.1016/0003-9861(59)90142-0. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- SUZUKI N. ON BLACK PIGMENT OF GALLSTONES WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO COMPARISON WITH BILIRUBIN DERIVATIVES. Tohoku J Exp Med. 1965 May 25;85:396–405. doi: 10.1620/tjem.85.396. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Sutor D. J., Wooley S. E. A statistical survey of the composition of gallstones in eight countries. Gut. 1971 Jan;12(1):55–64. doi: 10.1136/gut.12.1.55. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Sutor D. J., Wooley S. E. The nature and incidence of gallstones containing calcium. Gut. 1973 Mar;14(3):215–220. doi: 10.1136/gut.14.3.215. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Suzuki N. On bilirubin-metal complex compounds in relation to black pigments of gallstones. Tohoku J Exp Med. 1966 Oct;90(2):195–205. doi: 10.1620/tjem.90.195. [DOI] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- WOMACK N. A., ZEPPA R., IRVIN G. L., 3rd The anatomy of gallstones. Ann Surg. 1963 May;157:670–686. doi: 10.1097/00000658-196305000-00002. [DOI] [PMC free article] [PubMed] [Google Scholar]
- Womack N. A. The development of gallstones. Surg Gynecol Obstet. 1971 Dec;133(6):937–945. [PubMed] [Google Scholar]