Mechanical lithotripsy of large gallstones: correlation with CT characteristics.
The CT characteristics of gallstones were correlated with mechanical forces required to fragment calculi in vitro. Forty-two gallstones > or = 11 mm in largest diameter were subjected to in vitro CT scanning and categorized as isodense, faint, laminated, rimmed, or dense as compared with saline. A mechanical lithotripter, attached to a dynamometer, was utilized simulating in vivo technique to accomplish lithotripsy. Significantly more force was required to fracture CT-dense (p < 0.02) and CT-rimmed (p < 0.05) gallstones than was required to fracture CT-isodense gallstones.
Halsey
J S
JS
Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle 98195.
Wolak
J
J
Schulte
S J
SJ
Baron
R L
RL
Yates
B D
BD
Kimmey
M B
MB
D042882:Gallstones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008096:Lithotripsy / Q000379:methods*; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed