oxalates and Gallstones

Calcium oxalate phosphate is extremely rare composition of gall stones, with only one case reported in pediatric population till date. We report a case of pediatric cholelithiasis with a unique composition of calcium oxalate phosphate, detected at eight years of age. Its etiology remains unknown. An 8-year girl presented in Emergency Room with complaints of acute pain in right upper quadrant and nausea without any complaints of jaundice or fever. She was admitted to the hospital with the provisional diagnosis of acute cholecystitis keeping in view her symptoms and obesity, which was later found to be true after an ultrasound report; but the uniqueness and rarity of this case was determined after cholecystectomy, when the specimen containing her gall bladder along with stones was sent for analysis of the composition, which showed the rarest composition i.e., calcium oxalate phosphate. We report our experience on the unique composition of gallstones in a young girl with no known risk factors except obesity. These rare pediatric gallstones have not been associated with obesity in any literature earliar. Key Words: Gallstones, Calcium oxalate phosphate, Pediatric.

Topics: Calcium Oxalate; Child; Cholecystectomy; Female; Gallstones; Humans; Oxalates; Phosphates

The prevalence of gallstones is low in Asians. In Iran, many factors influence the prevalence of this disease. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of gallbladder stones and their chemical characteristics in a population by the study of cadavers.. In this cross-sectional study, autopsies were performed on 253 cadavers of more than 13 years old. The cadavers were studied to determine the number, location of stone formation, chemical composition, dry weight, and mean diameter of stones in the gallbladder and common bile duct.. The prevalence of gallstone disease in these cadavers was 6.3% (men 4.7%, women 8.6%, not significantly different, P=0.216). There was a positive relationship between the age and prevalence of gallstone disease (P=0.033). The most common stone compositions were cholesterol and oxalate. The mean diameter (P=0.0058) and dry weight (P<0.0001) of stones were higher in the gallbladder than in the common bile duct. Positive relations between the amount of oxalate and mean diameter, and between the amount of oxalate and mean dry weight of gallstones were found, but the relationship between the amount of cholesterol and mean diameter was inverse.. The prevalence of gallstones differed among age groups. Diameter and dry weight of gallstones were dependent on location of stone formation and chemical composition.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Cadaver; Cholesterol; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Gallstones; Humans; Iran; Male; Middle Aged; Oxalates; Prevalence

Topics: Bile Ducts; Calculi; Common Bile Duct; Gallstones; Humans; Oxalates