Scanning Microscopy
Abstract
We examined 15 variably-sized gallstones, taken from an elderly male, by backscattered electron imaging and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis to learn the structural and distribution patterns of gallstone calcium (Ca-) salts. Of the 13 cholesterol-rich stones, nine stones had peripheral concentric layers of Ca-carbonate, whereas 2 stones had peripheral layers of Ca-phosphate. No Ca-salts were detected from 2 cholesterol-rich stones. The 2 stones containing Ca-phosphate had no Ca-salt cores, whereas the stones containing Ca-carbonate were separated into 3 different types: two stones with a Ca-carbonate core, four stones with several Ca-bilirubinate cores of glass-like structure, and 3 stones lacking Ca-salt cores. A closer view of the Ca-salt layers, which may be occasionally coexistent with Ca-bilirubinate, mainly showed either laminate deposits or numerous globules with a few laminae. Of the 2 cholesterol-poor stones, one had dispersed particles mainly of Ca-phosphate, and the other had loosely dispersed particles with small amounts of Ca-phosphate, bilirubinate, and/or palmitate. Some relationship between the size and Ca-salt species of these gallstones was suggested. Gallstones collected from the same individual showed a considerable heterogeneity of Ca-salts.
Recommended Citation
Kodaka, Tetsuo; Mori, Ryoichi; Debari, Kazuhiro; Takiguchi, Reiji; and Higashi, Shohei
(1995)
"Backscattered Electron Imaging and Energy-Dispersive X-Ray Microanalysis Studies of Evidence for Calcium Salt Heterogeneity in Fifteen Gallstones from an Elderly Human,"
Scanning Microscopy: Vol. 9:
No.
3, Article 25.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/microscopy/vol9/iss3/25