Chemical composition of urinary stone by infrared spectroscopy
Analysis of the chemical composition of urinary stones using infrared (IR) spectroscopy allows accurate determination of the chemical (mineralogical) composition of stones forming in the urinary tract. It is used to diagnose the causes of stone formation and select the optimal therapy.
Main components determined by IR spectroscopy:
Oxalates (calcium oxalates: vevelite, weddelite)
- The most common type of urinary stones.
- Associated with high consumption of oxalates (spinach, nuts, tea) or calcium metabolism disorders.
Phosphates (calcium phosphates: apatite, brushite, struvite)
- Often formed during urinary tract infections (struvite stones).
- May indicate metabolic acidosis or hyperparathyroidism.
Urates (uric acid, ammonium urate, sodium urate)
- Associated with gout, high-protein diet, low urine pH.
- Soluble when urine pH is corrected.
Cystine stones
- A rare type associated with a hereditary disease called cystinuria.
- Require specific treatment and control.
Xanthine stones
- Extremely rare, associated with a genetic defect in the enzyme xanthine oxidase.
Determining the composition of the stone allows you to:
- Select a diet and drug therapy to prevent recurrence.
- Assess the risk of infectious complications.
- Diagnose rare hereditary diseases.
Material for analysis:
- Urinary stones (after passing or removal)