Calcite sputum lith. Characterization by analytic scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction.
The chemical identification by x-ray diffraction and analytic scanning electron microscopy of a sputum lith weighing 1 mg is described. These technics demonstrated that the lith was composed of rhombohedral calcium carbonate (calcite). Since different crystal species form under different chemical conditions, these precise, nondestructive analytic technics should have wide application in the investigation not only of a bronchial liths but also of other microcrystalline tissue deposits.
D000328:Adult; D002119:Calcium Carbonate / Q000032:analysis*; D002137:Calculi; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008171:Lung Diseases / Q000473:pathology; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013183:Sputum / Q000032:analysis*
D002119:Calcium Carbonate