title: Microcomposition of human urinary calculi using advanced imaging techniques.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Common methods of commercial urolithiasis analysis, such as light microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, provide limited or no information on the molecular composition of stones, which is vital when studying early stone pathogenesis. We used synchrotron radiation based microfocused x-ray fluorescence, x-ray absorption and x-ray diffraction advanced imaging techniques to identify and map the elemental composition, including trace elements, of urinary calculi on a μm (0.0001 cm) scale.
  
  
  METHODS
  Human stone samples were obtained during serial percutaneous nephrolithotomy and ureteroscopy procedures. A portion of each sample was sent for commercial stone analysis and a portion was retained for synchrotron radiation based advanced imaging analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Synchrotron radiation based methods of stone analysis correctly identified stone composition and provided additional molecular detail on elemental components and spatial distribution in uroliths. Resolution was on the order of a few μm.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge of all elements present in lithogenesis at this detail allows for better understanding of early stone formation events, which may provide additional insight to prevent and treat stone formation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Blaschko
authors.forename: Joe
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Miller
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Chi
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Flechner
authors.forename: Sirine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fakra
authors.forename: Arnold
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kahn
authors.forename: Pankaj
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kapahi
authors.forename: Marshall L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Stoller
mesh_terms: D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D006801:Humans; D014545:Urinary Calculi / Q000737:chemistry*