title: [Failed dissolution of a gallstone by methyl tert-butyl ether: importance of predicting gallstone chemical composition].
abstract: In December 1986 we attempted direct chemical litholysis using methyl-tertiary-butyl-ether (MTBE) in a sixty-year-old man with severe ischemic heart disease who had suffered frequent episodes of biliary colic due to a radiolucent gallstone. MTBE was infused for a total of 17 hrs over a period of 5 days; however the gallstone diameter remained unchanged. The patient was subsequently cholecystomized and chemical analysis revealed that the gallstone was a pigment stone. The need for accurate prediction of gallstone composition before beginning an invasive, such as MTBE infusion, is emphasized.
authors: II Cattedra di Gastroenterologia, Università La Sapienza, Roma.
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Cantagalli
authors: G D
authors: GD
authors: Miscusi
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Ferrara
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Pavoni
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Castrucci
authors: A F
authors: AF
authors: Attili
mesh_terms: D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000737:chemistry / Q000628:therapy*; D004987:Ethers / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D008875:Middle Aged; D012997:Solvents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D004987:Ethers; D008738:Methyl Ethers; D012997:Solvents; C043243:methyl tert-butyl ether
vernacular_title: Mancata dissoluzione di un calcolo colecistico con metil-tert-butil-etere: l'importanza di predire la composizione chimica del calcolo.