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Structural features of three ureterocele calculi

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Abstract

Ureterocele calculi are developed in cavities with urinary retention but far from the upper renal cavities. The structural features of three ureterocele calcium oxalate stones were observed by scanning electron microscope coupled with X ray microanalysis. The urinary parameters of the three patients were also determined. The stone A consisted of loose structure of large calcium oxalate dihydrate crystals and small spheres of hydroxyapatite. The interior contains disorganized plate-like calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals. The stone B was formed by a compact outer layer of calcium oxalate monohydrate columnar crystals. The structure of stone interior was similar to the stone A. The stone C was formed by concentric layers composed of either calcium oxalate monohydrate columnar crystals or hydroxyapatite. The core consisted of agglomerated calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals, hydroxyapatite and organic matter. From the urinary biochemical data it was deduced that two ureterocele patients (who formed A and B stones) were hypercalciuric (calcium > 300 mg/24 h), being 6.5 the urinary pH value of the patient that formed the A stone, and 7.0 the urinary pH of the patient that formed the C stone. The rest of urinary parameters for the three patients were normal. Thus, one of the requisite conditions for unattached stone development is the existence of a place inside the urinary tract where the solid particles that act as calculus initiator of the stone can be retained enough time to exert this action.

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Acknowledgements

Financial support by Govern de les Illes Balears, Conselleria d’Innovació i Energia, Direcció General d’R + D + I (PRDIB-2002GC1-04) and Ministerio de Ciencia y Tecnología, Dirección General de Investigación (BQU2003-01659) are gratefully acknowledged.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory of Renal Lithiasis Research, Universitary Institute for Health Sciences Research, Ed. Mateu Orfila Rotger, University of Balearic Islands, Ctra. Valldemossa km. 7.5, 07122, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

    F. Grases & A. Costa-Bauzá

  2. University of J. E. Purkyne, 40000, Usti nad Labem, Czech Republic

    O. Söhnel

  3. Hospital Universitario Son Dureta, Palma de Mallorca, Spain

    E. Pieras & D. Muñoz

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  1. F. Grases
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  2. O. Söhnel
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  3. A. Costa-Bauzá
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  4. E. Pieras
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  5. D. Muñoz
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Correspondence to F. Grases.

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Grases, F., Söhnel, O., Costa-Bauzá, A. et al. Structural features of three ureterocele calculi. Int Urol Nephrol 39, 765–769 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-006-9140-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11255-006-9140-3

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