Idiopathic kidney stone formation--where and why?

An attempt was made to analyse where and why stone formation in the kidney starts. For this purpose specific electrical conductivity (SEC) of the serum and urine of the same individual in 50 cases of stone formers (Group I) and 50 controls (Group II) was measured. The mean serum value of SEC at 37 degrees C and 50 Hz in mu mho/cm of Group I was 1.23 x 10(4), while that of Group II was 1.20 x 10(4). This was not statistically significant. However, urinary SEC values did differ significantly between the 2 groups. An analysis of observations reveals that in the case of stone formers there is a fault in the solute transfer system in the kidney at the membrane level (urothelium).