Bilirubin determination in gallstones

Abstract

The determination of bilirubin in gallstones is carried out by means of several methods, but most frequently by spectrophotometric determination of azobilirubin. We found that most of the methods were not applicable to bilirubin determination in certain types of gallstones. Thus, we developed a simple and suitable method for bilirubin determination applicable to all gallstone specimens. Based on direct spectrophotometric measurements of chloroform solution of bilirubin or gallstone extracts, our method was found to be sensitive enough to determine small amounts as well as high contents of bilirubin in gallstones. Other gallstone components were of no influence on the assay; thus this method proved to be superior to azobilirubin or other assays. © 1991 Springer-Verlag.