Methyl tert-Butyl Ether Fails to Dissolve Retained Radiolucent Common Bile Duct Stones

Radiologic Management of Problematic Biliary Calculi

“…DiPadova reported that MTBE was completely ineffective in dissolution of radiolucent stones and all of the stones ineffectively treated with MTBE were subsequently treated successfully with MO. 36 In contrast, Brandon reported a favorable response in 10 out of 13 patients (77%) treated for common bile duct calculi with MTBE. 53 The discrepancy in results is likely a result of stone selection, as only cholesterol stones will favorably respond to contact dissolution.…”

Role of biliary stenting in the management of bile duct stones in the elderly.

“…The successful application of this technique seems to be inversely proportional to stone size as it is difficult to entrap very large stones within the basket. The success rate may be as low as 25% in stones with a diameter exceeding 25 cm. "1 Stones situated above a stricture also present difficulties.…”

Exposure to MTBE and Acute Human Health Effects: A Critical Literature Review

“…Those included reports of experimental exposure studies and also studies of populations with ambient or occupational exposures. Another 12 reports described the clinical use of parenteral MTBE for dissolution of cholesterol gall stones (Allen et al, 1985;Di Padova et al, 1986;Hellstern et al, 1990;Leuschner et al, 1991;McNulty et al, 1991;Saraya, Rai, and Tandon, 1990;Neoptolemos et al, 1990;Ponchon, Baroud, Pujol et al, 1988;Murray, Laferla, and Fullarton, 1988;Brandon et al, 1988 Simunic, and Radanovic, 1992;Thistle et al, 1989). Although the exposure route in these studies differed from that in the occupational, ambient and experimental exposure studies, we anticipated that the much greater administered parenteral doses might provide insight into the physiological effects of acute MTBE exposure.…”