title: Ultrastructural analysis of an enterolith composed of deoxycholic acid.
abstract: A 67-year-old Japanese man underwent enterotomy because of enterolith ileus. Component analysis by infrared spectroscopy revealed that the enterolith was composed of a high concentration of deoxycholic acid. We further analyzed and compared the ultrastructure of the enterolith and a commercially available powdered form of deoxycholic acid by means of scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis revealed that the ratios of carbon and oxygen in the enterolith were equal to those in the deoxycholic acid powder. Scanning electron microscopy analysis showed rectangular prism-shaped particles on the surface of the enterolith. This structure was similar to that of the deoxycholic acid powder. The surgically removed enterolith had a twisted and coiled appearance. Possible mechanisms underlying the formation of this unique form are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gastroenterology, Onomichi Municipal Hospital, Onomichi, Hiroshima 722-8503, Japan.iwamuromasaya@yahoo.co.jp.
authors.forename: Masaya
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iwamuro
authors.forename: Yuichi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Miyashima
authors.forename: Takahiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshioka
authors.forename: Toshihiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Murata
authors.forename: Yoshio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Miyabe
authors.forename: Yoshinari
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kawai
authors.forename: Haruo
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Urata
authors.forename: Hidenori
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Shiraha
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Okada
authors.forename: Kazuhide
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yamamoto
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002137:Calculi / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D003840:Deoxycholic Acid / Q000032:analysis*; D013505:Digestive System Surgical Procedures; D006801:Humans; D007415:Intestinal Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D007421:Intestine, Small / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D013052:Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D003840:Deoxycholic Acid