MTBE

Abbreviation for methyl-tert-butyl ether.

MTBE

Methyl-tert-butyl-ether.
Environment
A volatile, flammable, and colourless octane-boosting aliphatic ether which is added to reformulated gasoline to help it burn cleaner. While it is not listed by the IARC/WHO as a carcinogen, it imparts an unpleasant taste to water at very low concentrations (5–15µg/l) and persists in groundwater. It is biodegraded by bacteria and can be removed by a fluidised bed bioreactor or activated carbon.
Surgery
MTBE rapidly dissolves cholesterol stones in vivo, introduced under local anaesthesia via a percutaneous transhepatic cholecystectomy catheter as a non-invasive method for treating gallstones. After injection, the dissolved cholesterol is drained from the bladder. MTBE stone dissolution is effective if the patients are selected for cholesterol stones; it is improved and accelerated by adding transcutaneous ultrasound.

Complications
Nausea, vomiting, bile leakage, drowsiness, transient increase of liver enzymes, anorexia, hypotension.

MTBE

Methyl-tert-butyl-ether Surgery An aliphatic ether that rapidly dissolves cholesterol stones in vivo, introduced under local anesthesia via a percutaneous transhepatic cholecystectomy catheter, as a non-invasive method for treating gallstones; after injection, the dissolved 'slurry' is drained from the bladder Complications N&V, bile leakage, drowsiness, transient ↑ of liver enzymes, anorexia, hypotension; MTBE stone dissolution is effective if the Pts are selected for cholesterol stones, improved and accelerated by adding transcutaneous ultrasound. See Lithotripsy EnvironmentAn octane-boosting additive used in reformulated gasoline that helps the gas burn cleaner.