[Infrared spectrometry and urolithiasis. Report of 80 cases]

Urolithiasis is a frequent disorder that is characterized by its recurrence following treatment and which can affect between 3-20% of the population, with an incidence that differs from country to country. The aim of the present study was to determine the composition of the calculi, and the remain characteristics of this pathology in Morocco. A series of 80 calculi was therefore analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The findings showed that calcium monohydrate oxalate was the main lithiasic component, indicating that hyperoxaluria plays a major role in the formation of the calculi. The component identified were as follows: calcium oxalate (58.75%), calcium phosphate and magnesium phosphate (17.5%), uric acid (15%), and urate (8.75%). In 91.25% of cases, the calculi were of mixed composition. Regular patient follow-up is advocated and subjects should be informed of the risk factor involved, as urolithiasic recurrence was observed in 10% of the cases in this series.