Spherolites
Historical document, translated for reference. It reflects medical knowledge of the 1920s–30s and is not medical advice.
Summary
Spherolites, also known as globolites or spherocystads, are spherical crystals occasionally observed in parenchymatous organs, especially the thyroid gland, choroid plexus, and kidneys. They are composed of calcium carbonate and phosphate, often contain iron, and exhibit birefringence that disappears after decalcification. Their organic basis is not precisely known but is thought to originate from degenerated tissue.
Encyclopedia article (1928–1936)
SPHEROLITES (globolites), or spherocystads, spherical crystals observed rarely in parenchymatous organs, especially in the thyroid gland, in the choroid plexus, in the kidneys, and so on. The precise crystallographic analysis of S. is very difficult, since they represent a product of the most varied chemical compounds. Basically S. consist of calcium carbonate and calcium phosphate, sometimes also contain free or easily bound iron, traces of magnesia. S. give double refraction, which disappears after decalcification. In S. is also noted an organic basis, exactly unknown. Probably the initial basis of S. is some degenerated tissue (decomposition of the colloid), which is successively impregnated with salts. At this point is indicated the significance of preliminary deposits of lipoids. There are indications that the development of S. is especially favored by the moment of mucous degeneration of the substrate. Thus, Ikoma obtained S. in vitro, using Friedländer's bacillus culture with the addition to it of 5% calcium chloride (after 35-50 days from the beginning of the experiment).
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“Spherolites.” Soviet Medical Encyclopedia. English translation of Bolshaya Meditsinskaya Entsiklopediya, 1st ed. (Moscow, 1928–1936), ed. N. A. Semashko. https://sovietmedicalencyclopedia.pages.dev/article/spherolites/