Backscattered electron imaging and windowless energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis: a new technique for gallstone analysis

Journal Article · Fri Nov 30 23:00:00 EST 1990 · Scanning Microscopy; (United States)

OSTI ID:5397400

Kaufman, H S; Lillemoe, K D; Magnuson, T H; Frasca, P; Pitt, H A ^[1]

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1. Johns Hopkins Univ. School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD (USA)

Scanning electron microscopy with or without conventional energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis is currently used to identify gallstone microstructure and inorganic composition. Organic calcium salts are among many biliary constituents thought to have a role in gallstone nidation and growth. However, current analytical techniques which identify these salts are destructive and compromise gallstone microstructural data. We have developed a new technique for gallstone analysis which provides simultaneous structural and compositional identification of calcium salts within gallstones. Backscattered electron imaging is used to localize calcium within cholesterol at minimum concentrations of 0.01%. Windowless energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis produces elemental spectra of gallstone calcium salts which are qualitatively and quantitatively different. These combined techniques provide simultaneous structural and compositional information obtained from intact gallstone cross-sections and have been used to identify calcium salts in gallstones obtained at cholecystectomy from 106 patients.

• OSTI ID: 5397400
• Journal Information: Scanning Microscopy; (United States), Journal Name: Scanning Microscopy; (United States) Vol. 4:4; ISSN 0891-7035; ISSN SCMIE
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550602* -- Medicine-- External Radiation in Diagnostics-- (1980-)
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ANIMALS
BACKSCATTERING
BILIARY TRACT
CALCINOSIS
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
DIAGNOSIS
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM
DIGESTIVE SYSTEM DISEASES
DISEASES
ELECTRON MICROPROBE ANALYSIS
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
IMAGE PROCESSING
MAMMALS
MAN
MICROANALYSIS
MICROSCOPY
NONDESTRUCTIVE ANALYSIS
PATHOLOGICAL CHANGES
PATIENTS
PRIMATES
PROCESSING
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SCATTERING
VERTEBRATES