Skip to main content
Log in

A study of the ultrastructure of urinary calculi by scanning electron microscopy

  • Originals
  • Published:
Urological Research Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Summary

A study of urinary stones obtained from patients after surgery in the Medical College Hospital, Trivandrum, under the scanning electron microscope showed the presence of calcium oxalate and calcium biphosphate crystals as the main constituents. However, the pattern of the different phases of crystal growth was not uniform. Within the crystal lattice, fibrous structures, possibly of protein matrix, were invariably observed. Electron microscopy may be usefully adapted as a particularly suitable method for ultramicroscopic investigation of the fine structure of urinary stones including single crystal surface structure, section of urinary calculi and for possible presence of hitherto unknown components within the calculus.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Felix R, Monod A, Booge L, Hausea NM, Fleisch H (1977) Aggregation of calcium oxalate crystals. Effect of urine and various inhibitors. Urol Res 5:21–28

    Google Scholar 

  2. Hesse A, Bach D (1982) In: Harnsteine — Pathobiochemie und klinisch-chemische Diagnostik. Georg Thieme, Stuttgart New York, pp 154–179

    Google Scholar 

  3. Hesse A, Lange P, Berg W, Bothor C, Hienzsch E (1975) Scanning electron microscope and microprobe investigation of phosphate phases in uroliths. Urol Int 34:81–94

    Google Scholar 

  4. Hesse A, Hicking W, Bach D, Vahlensieck W (1981) Characterisation of urinary crystals and thin polished sections of urinary calculi by means of an optical microscopic and scanning electron microscopic arrangement. Urol Int 36:281–291

    Google Scholar 

  5. Kirby JK, Pelphrey CF, Rainey JR (1957) The analysis of urinary calculi. Am J Clin Pathol 27:360–362

    Google Scholar 

  6. Marickar YMF, David J, Abraham PA (1976) Study of urinary stones in Kerala. Ind J Surg 38:480–484

    Google Scholar 

  7. Meyer JL (1977) In: Van Reen R (ed) Idiopathic urinary bladder stone disease. DHEW Publication No. (NIH) 77-1063, pp 83–108

  8. Spector AR, Gray A, Prier EL Jr (1976) Kidney stone matrix. Differences in acidic protein composition. Invest Urol 13:387–389

    Google Scholar 

  9. Thind SK, Nath R (1970) Biochemical characteristics of urinary stones in Chandigarh area. Bull PGI 4:21–23

    Google Scholar 

  10. Wickham JEA (1976) The matrix of renal calculi. In: Williams, DI, Chisholm GR (eds) Scientific foundations of urology, chap 47. Heinemann, London, pp 323–327

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Hyacinth, P., Rajamohanan, K., Marckar, F.Y.M. et al. A study of the ultrastructure of urinary calculi by scanning electron microscopy. Urol. Res. 12, 227–230 (1984). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00256809

Download citation

  • Accepted:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00256809

Key words

Navigation