Gallstone distructibility for ESWL depends upon its mucin content and distribution

Abstract

We observed the thin sections of gallstones after stained by PAS-Alcian Blue (pH 2.5) and measured the hexosamine content of the gallstones.
The micro-structure of mucin network was observed all kinds of gallstones, and its density was thicked in the calcium bilirubinate stones but in the cholesterol gallstones in was thin. Hexosamine content in the calcium bilirubinate stone and black stone were higher than the cholesterol stone.
Distructibility for ESWL was good for cholesterol stones but poor for calcium bilirubinate stones. We think the reason why the distructibility is different according to the kinds of gallstones., that mucin network in the gallstone is against the forces of shock wave.
Calcium bilirubinate stones which contain much mucin, is resistance for ESWL and cholesterol stones which contain a little is easily distructed.