title: Idiopathic hypercalciuria and formation of calcium renal stones.
abstract: The most common presentation of nephrolithiasis is idiopathic calcium stones in patients without systemic disease. Most stones are primarily composed of calcium oxalate and form on a base of interstitial apatite deposits, known as Randall's plaque. By contrast some stones are composed largely of calcium phosphate, as either hydroxyapatite or brushite (calcium monohydrogen phosphate), and are usually accompanied by deposits of calcium phosphate in the Bellini ducts. These deposits result in local tissue damage and might serve as a site of mineral overgrowth. Stone formation is driven by supersaturation of urine with calcium oxalate and brushite. The level of supersaturation is related to fluid intake as well as to the levels of urinary citrate and calcium. Risk of stone formation is increased when urine citrate excretion is <400 mg per day, and treatment with potassium citrate has been used to prevent stones. Urine calcium levels >200 mg per day also increase stone risk and often result in negative calcium balance. Reduced renal calcium reabsorption has a role in idiopathic hypercalciuria. Low sodium diets and thiazide-type diuretics lower urine calcium levels and potentially reduce the risk of stone recurrence and bone disease.
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Section MC 5100, University of Chicago Medicine, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60637 USA.
authors.forename: Fredric L
authors.initials: FL
authors.lastname: Coe
authors.affiliation: Nephrology Section MC 5100, University of Chicago Medicine, 5841 S. Maryland Avenue, Chicago, Illinois, 60637 USA.
authors.forename: Elaine M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Worcester
authors.affiliation: Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Indiana University School of Medicine, 635 Barnhill Drive, MS 5055, Indianapolis, IN 46220, Indiana, USA.
authors.forename: Andrew P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Evan
mesh_terms: D001031:Apatites / Q000032:analysis; D002118:Calcium / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D053565:Hypercalciuria / Q000150:complications*; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000737:chemistry / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy
chemical_list: D001031:Apatites; D002118:Calcium