[Scanning electron microscopy studies of the structure of calcium oxalate urinary calculi]

The examination of calcium oxalate calculi under a scanning electron microscope confirmed the 4 structural types distinguished under a polarising microscope using microsections. The fine structure of the radial-concentric-shelled structural type I is characterized as a dense pack of radially ordered prismatic bundles. In combination with energy-dispersive analysis the occurrence of the finely crystalline type II is confirmed. Energy-dispersive analysis shows an unexpected variety of element distribution in the microscopic range.