Investigation of kidney stones by X-ray diffraction method

An investigation of 39 male kidney stone samples and 11 female kidney stone samples obtained from Songklanakarind Hospital, Hat Yai, Songkhla was carried out. Most samples were obtained from patients ages over 40 years. By means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), kidney stones can be classified according to their structure and composition into 3 groups is 1. uric acid (C5H4N4O3) and ammonium acid urate (C5H7N5O3) 2. oxalates; whewelite (C2CaO4!H2O CaC2O4!H2O) and weddellite (C2CaO4!2H2O) 3. phosphates; struvite (NH4MgPO4!6H2O) and calcium phosphate hydrate (Ca3(PO4)2!xH2O). External and internal environments such as occupation, dietary habits, lack of water-drinking etc. are the major factors for kidney stone formation. Results from this study are very useful for the patients to prevent recrystallization of kidney stones by avoiding some elements or some organic compounds which are main components of kidney stones formed in the human urinary system.