Analysis of the Chemical Composition of Urinary Calculi using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy: A Preliminary Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background The etiology of primary and recurrent stone formation in the urinary tract remains obscure in spite of intensive research. The formation of renal calculi is a multifactorial disorder resulting from the combined influence of epidemiological, biochemical and genetic risk factors which disturb the lithogenous salt profile in the body. Materials and methods In the present study, 52 stone samples have been analyzed for their stone composition by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The samples were made in a potassium bromide pellet and analyzed to identify the stone components. Results Stone formation was more prevalent in males and the incidence increased with age. Majority of stones were oxalate and mixed stones. The components of mixed stones were identified by spectrum analysis. Conclusion Specific dietary factors can affect the urinary composition and supersaturation, which in turn, can affect the process of crystallization and stone formation. The same chemical components may crystallize in different forms during stone formation. Hence, proper analysis has to identify not only the molecular species present in the calculus, but also the crystalline form. So, quantitative evaluation of all components of the calculi is necessary for effective prevention or reduction of stone recurrences. How to cite this article Bhattacharyya S, Sharma G, Mandal AK, Singh SK. Analysis of the Chemical Composition of Urinary Calculi using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy: A Preliminary Study. J Postgrad Med Edu Res 2014;48(3):128-131.