PIXE analysis of gallstones: Trace element analysis and millibeam scanning of stone sections

The trace element analysis of 26 gallstone samples, each classified into one of five types, has been performed by the PIXE method. The elemental correlation between bile and gallstone, sampled from the same patient has also been investigated for 19 of these samples. The elemental profiles of four types of large gallstone have been investigated using milli-probe proton beam scanning. It has been shown that the trace element concentration is related to the different types of gallstone, but no correlation has been found between bile and gallstone. The proton beam scanning of gallstones has revealed elemental profiles of Cl, K, Ca, Mn, Fe, Cu and Zn in each sample. It has also been shown that the Ca concentration is higher in the core region and the outer layer for most of gallstones.