A Comparative Study of Two Renal Stone Analysis Methods

Background and Aims: The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FTIR) methods are particularly useful for the analysis of renal calculi due to their simplicity and the information they provide, and the results can guide therapeutic approaches and prevention of recurrence. The aim of this study was to compare SEM and FTIR as methods for renal calculus analysis. Methods: Analysis of renal calculi from the Tadla-Azilal region (Morocco) were performed by optical stereomicroscopy, followed by FTIR or SEM. The results obtained by the two methods were compared. Results: Both methods clearly showed a predominance of calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM; 54%) in renal calculi from the study region, while calcium oxalate dihydrate calculi represented only 13.5%. Purine calculi were almost as frequent as phosphate calculi (24.3%), and struvite calculi comprised 8.1%. The high prevalence of COM calculi could be the result of several factors including sedentary lifestyles and eating habits, the latter involving a major contribution to oxalates from frequent consumption of tea. Conclusions: The results showed good agreement between the two methods, which provided appropriate information on the composition and crystal structure of renal calculi.