title: Role of scanning electron microscopy and x-ray microanalysis in the identification of urinary crystals.
abstract: Urinary crystals can be identified by using analytical electron microscopic techniques of scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis. Crystal habit can be recognised by scanning electron microscopy and their chemical nature by elemental analysis. With a conventional detector the lightest element that can routinely be detected is sodium, but with a windowless or thin window detector even carbon can be detected. Thus almost all the commonly occurring urinary crystals including uric acid can be analysed by energy dispersive x-ray microanalysis.
authors: Department of Pathology, College of Medicine, University of Florida, Gainesville 32610.
authors: S R
authors: SR
authors: Khan
authors: R L
authors: RL
authors: Hackett
mesh_terms: D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D004577:Electron Probe Microanalysis / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008274:Magnesium / Q000032:analysis; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning / Q000379:methods; D010758:Phosphorus / Q000032:analysis; D012964:Sodium / Q000032:analysis; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000648:ultrastructure*
chemical_list: D010758:Phosphorus; D012964:Sodium; D008274:Magnesium; D002118:Calcium