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.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 369-374 |
| Number of pages | 6 |
| Journal | Acta medica Okayama |
| Volume | 68 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Publication status | Published - 2014 |
Keywords
- Deoxycholic acid
- Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy
- Enterolith
- Infrared spectroscopy
- Scanning electron microscopy
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)