Failed dissolution of a gallstone by methyl tert-butyl ether: importance of predicting gallstone chemical composition

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 d...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	Recenti progressi in medicina Vol. 81; no. 6; p. 440
Main Authors:	Cantagalli, A, Miscusi, G D, Ferrara, M, Pavoni, P, Castrucci, M, Attili, A F
Format:	Journal Article
Language:	Italian
Published:	Italy 01-06-1990
Subjects:	Cholelithiasis - chemistry Cholelithiasis - therapy Ethers - administration & dosage Humans Male Methyl Ethers Middle Aged Solvents - administration & dosage Time Factors
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Summary:	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.
ISSN:	0034-1193