[Crystalluria]

The paper considers a clinical role of crystalluria and its relation to urolithiasis. Examination of 185274 cases of symptomless crystalluria in the citizens of Kharkov and Kharkov region revealed oxalic-calcic urinary crystals in 12.2%, urate crystals in 3.6% and phosphate crystals in 1.2% of the examinees. Oxalic-calcic crystalluria in urgent urinary conditions occurs significantly more frequently (25.8%). Crystalluria was studied in 372 nephrolithiasis patients. Urinary crystals were found in 44.0%. The type of the crystals corresponded to chemical composition of the urinary concrements. Oxalic-calcic nephrolithiasis was detected in a younger group of patients (aged 37.3 +/- 1.3). It is suggested to consider crystalluria as microurolithiasis indicating predisposition to lithogenesis in the urinary tract and as a preclinical manifestation of urolithiasis.