MICROANALYSIS OF KIDNEY-STONES SEQUENTIALLY EXCRETED FROM A SINGLE PATIENT

Eight kidney stones obtained from a single patient over a period of ab out eleven years were analysed in its natural form by Rutherford backs cattering with 2 MeV He-4+ ions, PIXE with 3 MeV protons, and PIGE wit h 4.5 MeV protons using the newly installed nuclear microprobe at Faur e. Since the mechanism of kidney stone nucleation and growth is still poorly understood, it was of interest to establish whether kidney ston es from a single patient were constant in composition as regards trace element content and whether the type of stone is reproduced on new st ones grown after the removal of existing stones. As expected, the ston es were rich in Ca. The matrix was calcium oxalate. Light elements pre sent in minor concentrations were P, S, Cl and K. Trace elements were in very low concentrations, and the presence of Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Br , Rb, Sr and Pb were recorded. Trace element trends in the stones, ana lysed with micro beams were identified. A good positive correlation be tween Sr and Zn was observed.