Limy 'milky' bile: without apparent gall-bladder obstruction by a gallstone.
Limy bile, characterized by excessive precipitation of calcium carbonate, is an uncommon complication of gallstone disease, and is a condition that seems to follow gall-bladder obstruction. Limy bile was observed at cholecystectomy in a 57 year old woman who presented with biliary colic. At operation a mass of precipitated cohesive crystals, that had coalesced into a whitish paste of calcium carbonate, was observed obstructing the outlet of the gall-bladder. This case report is unique in that calcium carbonate precipitation appears to have preceded gall-bladder obstruction.
Vitetta
L
L
University of Melbourne, Department of Surgery, Repatriation General Hospital, Heidelberg, Victoria.
Stubbs
A
A
Purser
S
S
Millar
K
K
Sali
A
A
D001646:Bile / Q000032:analysis*; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000032:analysis*; D002764:Cholecystitis / Q000150:complications; D002769:Cholelithiasis / Q000032:analysis; D002779:Cholestasis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged
D002119:Calcium Carbonate