Dissolution of gall-stones in vitro.

An in vitro study on dissolution of 36 gall-stones obtained from 3 patients (12 stones from each patient) was carried out in heparin, bile salt and clofibrate solutions of different strengths. Heparin was found to be a poor solvent while bile salt (sodium desoxycholate) proved better and clofibrate the best solvent in various concentrations used. In addition 3 stones, one from each patient, were placed in normal saline to serve as control.

Can sonography replace splenoportovenography in evaluation of patients with portal hypertension?

Real-time sonography and splenoportovenography were compared in 17 patients with portal hypertension for their relative efficacy and limitations with respect to diameters of portal vessels, visualization of collaterals and demonstration of portal vein occlusion. Sonography was able to diagnose portal vein thrombosis and to differentiate an occluded portal vessel from a patent portal vessel non-visualized due to hepatofugal blood flow in the presence of intrahepatic obstruction. However, sonography had limitations in demonstrating venous structures in the presence of excessive bowel gas or fat, and did not provide the flow patterns and the complete picture of the portal vasculature in a single setting. We conclude that the two procedures are complementary to each other, and if combined in patients with portal hypertension, the portal venous system can be evaluated more thoroughly for surgical treatment.