Histopathological characters of calcium salt deposits on renal papilla in patients with infectious calculi

Abstract

Objective To explore the relationship between stone formation and histopathological characters of renal papilla in patients with infectious renal calculi. Methods A total of 43 patients with infectious renal calculi undergoing percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) were included in this study. Renal papilla biopsy specimens were obtained under a nephroscope during the operation, fol-lowed by staining with hematoxylin-eosin or alizarin bordeaux for light microscopy and electron mi-croscopy. The extracted stones were analyzed and proved to be composed of magnesium ammonium phosphate or carbonate apatite with a transform-infrared spectrometer. Results Renal papilla calci-um plaques were found in 24 of the 43 patients (56 % ) during PCNL. Local calcium salt deposits could be found localized in the renal tubular basement membrane and spread to the interstitial tissue. Tiny stone adherence was observed in the renal papillae where calcium salts grew into the collection system. Conclusion Calcium salt deposits exist on the renal papilla in some patients with infectious renal calculi, which may be correlated with the formation of infectious stones. Key words: Infectious renal calculus; Calcium salt deposit; Pathological conditions, anatomical