CALYCEAL MICROLITHIASIS IN CHILDREN - REPORT ON 196 CASES

Recognition of children at greatest risk for urolithiasis may allow ea rly detection or prevention of stone formation. We report clinical dat a from 196 children aged 0.9-15.9 years in whom renal ultrasound exami nation revealed hyperechogenic spots in renal calyces less than 3 mm i n diameter. We called this finding ''calyceal microlithiasis'' (CM). T here was a history of urolithiasis in 70.4% of patients in at least on e first-or second-degree relative. Presenting symptoms were recurrent abdominal pain, dysuria, and hematuria, occurring alone or in combinat ion. Hematuria was the presenting symptom in 41% of patients and was t he only urinary finding in more than one-third. Hypercalciuria was pre sent in about one-third and hyperuricuria in one-fifth of the patients . Of 29 patients who were followed for at least 2 years, 9 developed c alculi 4-7 mm in diameter. CM possibly represents the first step in ca lculus formation. The finding of CM might explain a number of symptoms and signs that are often mild and non-specific, thus reducing invasiv e diagnostic procedures.