Figure 3

Results of analysis with spectrogram and electron microscope. (A,B) FTIR spectrogram of (A) small stones, showing that the main component was cystine, and (B) of the large stones, showing that the main component was cholesterol. (C-R) Scanning electron microscopy of the small cystine and large cholesterol stones. The small cystine stones displayed (C,D) hexagon crystals of unequal size, some with prominences on the edge (original magnification ×400) and (G,H,K,L) hexagon crystals stacked and arranged tightly. Original magnification (G,H) ×1,000; (K,L) ×3,000. (O,P) A view of one corner of a hexagon crystal shows that the end of the prominence is lamellar (original magnification ×6,000). The large cholesterol stones showed (E,F) amellar cholesterol crystals (original magnification ×400) and (I,J,M,N) stacked lamellar cholesterol crystals, Original magnification (I,J) ×1,000; (M,N) ×3,000. (Q,R) The cholesterol crystals had a smooth, glossy surface, dull borders, and a pyknomorphous texture (original magnification×6,000). (S) X-ray energy spectrogram Sa, spectrogram of the small stones (the elemental composition was carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and sulfur) Sb, spectrogram of the large stones (the elemental composition was carbon and oxygen).