ELEMENTAL ANALYSIS OF URINARY TRACT CALCULI USING AN ELECTRON MICROSCOPE WITH ELECTRON PROBE X-RAY MICROANALYZER

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Abstract
The simultaneous elemental analysis and observation of small surface areas and nuclei of urinary tract calculi was attempted with a conventional transmission electron microscope. This microscope was fitted with a scanning device, side-entry goniometer stage and an energy dispersive type X-ray microanalyzer unit coupled to a computer system. In addition to quantitative analysis, a clear electron image may be observed. Apatite, whewellite and cystine calculi derived from 5 patients as determined by X-ray diffraction were studied. In 3 samples of apatite calculus, Ca and P were detected, while Mg was observed in 1 case. In 1 sample of whewellite calculus, P and Ca were detected in the nucleus. In a sample of cystine calculus, Ca and P were detected in addition to S. The crystal structure of calculi may not always consist of a single substance.

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