Dissolution of struvite urinary stones. Experimental studies in vitro
Griffith, D.P.; Bragin, S.; Musher, D.M.
Investigative Urology 13(5): 351-353
1976
ISSN/ISBN: 0021-0005 PMID: 1254428 Document Number: 107534
Previous studies from our laboratory have shown that struvite crystals form primarily as a result of urease-induced alkalinity and supersaturation. In vitro perfusion of struvite crystals with undersaturated urine caused crystal dissolution. The investigations reported herein demonstrate complete dissolution of human struvite urinary stones during 6 weeks of perfusion in vitro with undersaturated human urine. Human hydroxyapatite stones perfused similarly underwent only slight dissolution. A glycoprotein precipitated as the stones dissolved; the pathogenic significance of the glycoprotein is unknown.