Application of physico-chemical procedures in the analysis of urinary calculi

Journal Article · Tue Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1985 · Scanning Electron Microsc.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6333989

Rodgers, A L

All physico-chemical techniques used in the analysis of urinary calculi have inherent advantages and limitations. Although x-ray powder diffraction can identify constituents unambiguously, certain minor components can be missed. Infrared spectroscopy is more sensitive but band assignment at low concentrations is difficult. Scanning electron microscopy together with energy dispersive x-ray analysis permits the simultaneous investigation of morphology and chemical microstructure. With the electron microprobe, minor constituents can be detected but tedious sample preparation procedures are required. Transmission electron microscopy is extremely useful in determining constituent inter-relationships and ultrastructure but ultramicrotomy is very difficult. Thermal gravimetric analysis gives quantitative information easily but does not satisfactorily distinguish between struvite and brushite. In an attempt to assess the accuracy of chemical analyses, 62 calculi were investigated applying several chemical tests. Those for MgS , PO4(T ), NHU and uric acid proved highly reliable while that for CaS often yielded an incorrect result. The test for oxalate was totally unsatisfactory. Investigators of stone composition and structure should include x-ray diffraction (or infrared spectroscopy) and scanning electron microscopy as their methods of first choice. In addition, chemical or thermogravimetric analyses should be utilized in an auxiliary capacity.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Cape Town, South Africa
• OSTI ID: 6333989
• Journal Information: Scanning Electron Microsc.; (United States), Journal Name: Scanning Electron Microsc.; (United States) Vol. 2; ISSN SEMYB
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

550601* -- Medicine-- Unsealed Radionuclides in Diagnostics
62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
AROMATICS
AZAARENES
BODY
CALCULI
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
DIAGNOSIS
ELECTRON MICROPROBE ANALYSIS
ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
EMISSION SPECTROSCOPY
GRAVIMETRIC ANALYSIS
HETEROCYCLIC COMPOUNDS
KIDNEYS
MICROANALYSIS
MICROSCOPY
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
ORGANS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHOSPHATES
PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
PURINES
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
SCANNING ELECTRON MICROSCOPY
SPECTROSCOPY
THERMAL ANALYSIS
THERMAL GRAVIMETRIC ANALYSIS
URIC ACID
URINARY TRACT
XANTHINES