struvite and Intestinal-Obstruction

In March 2006, a dead, male bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) was found in the salt marsh in Charleston, South Carolina, United States. During necropsy, an enterolith was found completely obstructing the intestinal lumen. Further examination of the enterolith revealed a stingray spine nidus. Most terrestrial enteroliths are composed primarily of struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate); however, the majority of the enterolith discovered in the stranded dolphin was composed of calcium phosphate carbonate. This case provides an interesting comparison of the variation in the mineral composition between terrestrial and marine enteroliths.

Topics: Animals; Bottle-Nosed Dolphin; Fatal Outcome; Foreign Bodies; Intestinal Obstruction; Magnesium Compounds; Male; Phosphates; Skates, Fish; Struvite

An 81-year-old man who had under gone two abdominal surgeries and temporary colostomy 30 years previously was admitted due to lower abdominal pain and vomiting. An abdominal X-ray film and abdominal CT scan showed intestinal distension and multiple calcareous deposits in the colon. Gastrografin enema examination revealed smooth stenosis at the sigmoid colon and many additional defects. Endoscopy could not be performed due to the stenosis. He did not agree to surgery. Seven months later, he was admitted again, due to colonic obstruction. Surgery was performed which revealed colonic obstruction as the source of post-operative stenosis of the sigmoid colon and multiple enteroliths. The stones consisted of a core and a hull and contained ammonium magnesium phosphate.

Topics: Aged, 80 and over; Calculi; Colonic Diseases; Constriction, Pathologic; Humans; Intestinal Diseases; Intestinal Obstruction; Magnesium Compounds; Male; Phosphates; Postoperative Complications; Sigmoid Diseases; Struvite

To characterize the texture, mineralogic features, and chemical features of enteroliths obtained from horses.. Enteroliths from 13 horses with colic.. Enteroliths were harvested from 13 horses that underwent ventral midline celiotomy for treatment of colic or necropsy because of colonic obstruction and rupture caused by enteroliths. Dietary and environmental history were determined via questionnaires or evaluation of medical records. In 7 horses that underwent surgical treatment for enterolithiasis, samples of colonic contents were obtained via an enterotomy in the pelvic flexure. Colonic concentrations of magnesium (Mg), phosphorus (P), sulfur (S), sodium (Na), calcium (Ca), and potassium (K) were determined. Enteroliths were analyzed via electron microprobe analysis and X-ray diffraction.. Enteroliths varied widely regarding degree of porosity, presence and distribution of radiating texture, and composition and size of the central nidus. A distinct concentric banding was identifiable in all enteroliths. Struvite was the predominant component of all enteroliths, although Mg vivianite was identified in 5 enteroliths, and there were variable quantities of Na, S, K, and Ca in the struvite within enteroliths. Despite an abundance of Ca in colonic fluids, Mg-phosphate minerals were preferentially formed, compared with Ca-phosphates (apatite), in equine enteroliths.. Enteroliths comprise 2 major Mg phosphates: struvite and Mg vivianite. There is wide variability in macrotexture and ionic concentrations between and within enteroliths.

Topics: Animals; Calculi; Colic; Colonic Diseases; Electron Probe Microanalysis; Gastrointestinal Contents; Horse Diseases; Horses; Intestinal Obstruction; Magnesium Compounds; Phosphates; Struvite; X-Ray Diffraction