PubMed · 7174943
The source did not provide an abstract. Follow the original record for more information.
Explore connections, maps & timelines
J M Brown, H R Gould. 1982. Radiopaque suppository simulating bladder calculus.. https://doi.org/10.1097/00004728-198212000-00031
Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.
KEEP EXPLORING
Bismuth has been used to treat dyspepsia for more than a hundred years, and has now become an important element in the treatment of peptic ulcer disease. Less than 1% of ingested bismuth is absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract and is excreted in the urine. Bismuth forms a protective coating on the mucosa, it stimulates secretion of bicarbonate and has an effect on the G-cell and Helicobacter pylori. Bismuth gives equal ulcer healing rates as H2-receptor blocking agents, but causes significantly less relapses. Triple treatment with bismuth, tetracycline and metronidazole eradicates H pylori in 95% of patients. Bismuth accumulates in the body during treatment and is neurotoxic, and it cannot be excluded that even short-term treatment may cause subclinical damage to the central nervous system.
Microstructures of Bi(Pb)-family 2212 superconductors, which were prepared by a sol-gel method with three different compositions, were examined mainly by scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The magnetization of the specimens strongly depends on the ratio between Bi and Pb content, while Tc is almost constant. In specimen 1, prepared with the nominal composition of Bi/Pb = 9/1, small grains of 2212 phase are formed with a minor fraction of some impurity phases. In specimen 2, with Bi/Pb = 17/3, which is optimum from the viewpoint of magnetization, large grains of the 2212 phase are formed during heating at 800 degrees C, also with the impurity phases. In specimen 3, with Bi/Pb = 8/2, the 2212 grains are divided by layers of (Bi0.86, Pb0.14) (Ca0.7, Sr0.3)Ox. Moreover, plate-like 2212 crystals are severely bent so that small cracks appear often with an inclusion of amorphous substance being rich in Ca and Pb. These layers and cracks must degrade the magnetization. A modulated structure of Bi-type is formed in the 2212 grains of specimens 1 and 2, while not only Bi-type but also Pb-type are formed in specimen 3. The wavelength of Bi-type is different for each specimen.
Bismuth subsalicylate preparations are over-the-counter products for gastrointestinal complaints. Bismuth toxicity causes delirium, psychosis, ataxia, myoclonus, and seizures and is reversible over several weeks or months, when bismuth intake is stopped. We report a 54-year-old man with a 6-week history of progressive confusion and memory difficulty and a 2-3-week history of involuntary movements and gait impairment. His encephalopathy was further characterized by marked multifocal myoclonic jerks, coarse postural tremors, postural instability, and gait ataxia. He gradually improved. Extensive toxic, metabolic, and infectious workup demonstrated bismuth toxicity. Spinal tap and brain magnetic resonance scan were normal. Electroencephalography showed bihemispheric slowing. As his encephalopathy cleared, he reported using bismuth subsalicylate long term (daily intake of 8 oz). Bismuth levels 5 weeks after cessation of bismuth were elevated and normalized after 12 weeks. He followed a typical course for bismuth toxicity with subacute progressive encephalopathy and gradual recovery. Creutzfeldt-Jakob was strongly considered due to his rapidly progressive encephalopathy, multifocal myoclonus, and ataxia. Due to its rarity, bismuth toxicity is often overlooked. We hope this presentation will increase recognition of bismuth toxicity. We believe more detailed labeling of bismuth products is needed to avoid similar toxicity from this readily available product.