FT-Raman and FT-Infrared Spectroscopic Study of Human Urinary Calculi

Objective: Application of FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopy techniques for determination of the chemical composition of the urinary stones since they offer high specific chemical information, rapid and reliable methods. Introduction: Urinary calculi are common throughout the world. Identification of the chemical composition of the urinary stones provides a precise diagnosis of the cause of lithogenesis and the consequence of appropriate therapeutic regimen and prophylaxis against recurrences. Materials and Methods: Fifty urinary calculi were extracted by different urological interventions for chemical identification by using FT-IR and FT-Raman spectroscopic methods. Results: According to the spectral results, the calculi were classified into six groups were calcium oxalate monohydrate (whewellite) 40%, ammonium magnesium phosphate (struvite) 24%, uric acid 12%, mixture of calcium oxalate monohydrate with tricalcium phosphate (Whitlockite) 12%, mixture of tricalcium phosphate with calcium carbonate 8% and lastly cystine stones 4%. Conclusion: Raman spectroscopy is an accurate tool for chemical identification of urinary stones. However, the extensive spectroscopic study performed in this experimental work can be extended and developed to build a Raman spectral library of all commonly occurring urinary calculi as well as the already existing FT-IR library for urinary stones.