[The assessment of skeletal mineralization in children with urolithiasis]

The x-ray pictures have principal significance in the clinical estimation of morphology of the skeleton. Roentgenometrical investigations of second metacarpal bone allow to assess the value of PCA (percentage cortical area), which is adequate to the mineral contents of the bone structure. PCA value of 100 equals the density of 2,3 g/cm3. The standard values of PCA and density equivalents were established in a group of 600 healthy children. The study was based on a group of 50 sick children aged from 1 to 16 years. The urolithiasis in all cases was diagnosed and all children were treated in the National Research Institute of Mother and Child in the years 1978-1979. The concrements in all cases contained the calcium salts as the main component. In 32 cases the following mixed stones: whewellite and weddellite, struvite and apatite, brushite and apatite, struvite and oxalate were found out. It was stated on the ground of mineralogical examinations that one component clearly preponderated the other ones.