Calcium-containing renal stones

Abstract

The majority of stones that form within the urinary tract contain calcium, and various crystalline forms of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate are the types of stones most often found. These urinary tract calculi are not the disease but simply an expression of varied metabolic disorders that produce stones of similar crystalline composition; thus, in evaluating a patient in whom a calcium-containing stone has developed, it is important for the physician to consider the possible conditions that may have led to this complication. An etiologic classification of calcium urolithiasis is given. Special features of these metabolic disorders are presented and the general medical evaluation of patients who have calcium-containing renal stones is described.