Phlebolithiasis associated with intramuscular hemangioma. X-ray diffractometric, X-ray microanalytical and scanning electron microscopic investigations.

Phlebolithiasis associated with intramuscular hemangioma is relatively rare. Combined crystallographic, microanalytical and morphological studies have not been done before. We investigated a case of phlebolithiasis by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray microdiffractometry and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis. The calculus revealed a lamellar structure with irregular distribution of radipaque and radiolucent portions. The radiopaque portions contained apatite which could be demonstrated in prismlike as well as globular granular structures. In contrast to other authors, brushite was not detected by us. The radiolucent protions adjacent to the stone surface contained sulfur and showed undefined diffraction peaks supposing the presence of organic crystals. The possible milieu factors govering calculus formation are discussed.