Infrared Spectroscopic Analysis of Urinary Tract Stones

Abstract

Backfround. Urinary tract stones are common urological disorders. However, there have been few studies of the stone composition in Central Taiwan. Infrared spectroscopy is a simple procedure used to analyze stones. We conduced this study to evaluate the composition of urinary tract stones using infrared spectroscopy. Methods. Most of the samples (89.8%) were obtained during endourological procedures and extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsies. The stone fragments were analyzed using a standard infrared procedure. The most common spectra were in the 4000-600cm-1 region and a number of bands were identified. Results. There were 1427 stone analyses done from August 15, 1993 through December 31, 1999 in this hospital. Of the patients who had stones removed, 16.8% had kidney stones, 5.5% had bladder stones, and 77.7% had ureteral stones. The results showed that 79.2% of stones were calcium oxalate related, 14% were infectious stones, 43% were uric acid related and 0.4% were cystine. The most frequently found microorganism in urine culture for infectious stones was Proteus mirabilis. Benign prostatic hyperplasia was the major disease associated with urinary bladder stones in men (80%). However, no associated disorders were found in female patients. Foreign bodies within stones were seen in two female patients and one of them was intrauterine device. Infectious stones were predominant in female patients which consisted 60% (120/200) of the stones. Conclusions. A total of 79.2% stones were composed calcium oxalate. Infectious stones were predominantly found in female patients. Urinary bladder stones were frequently seen in older male patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Further study of patients with stones should focus on the calcium oxalate because it is the major composition. Women with urinary stones should be carefully examined due to the high possibility of urinary tract infection.