STUDIES ON VESICAL CALCULI BY POLARIZING MICROSCOPE

Abstract

Polarizing microscope studies on 98 cases of the lower urinary calculi including 82 cases of vesical calculi were made preparing 122 sheets of thin slices to observe the components and constructions of the calculi. Especially, the considerations were made on the nuclei of the vesical calculi.
(1) Chemically, uric acid was the most readily recognized component and calcium oxalate, MgNH₄PO₄·6H₂O, amorphous-like substance (mainly apatite) were followed by polarizing microscope examination. As the components of nuclei, calcium oxalate which might fall in the bladder from the upper urinary tract were most commonly observed.
(2) Although the nucleic substances of the vesical calculi were mainly calcium oxalate and amorphous-like substance, many other substances were also observed as nuclei, so that all of the vesical calculi would not seem to be secondary calculi.
(3) The stages of growth of vesical calculi were mostly identical. They grow gradationally and we have been observed, between each stages of growth, the dissolved space, suggesting naturally dissolved in many cases.
(4) Observations on calculi may be conveniently divided into two places: the nucleus and perimeter. When uric acid and MgNH₄PO₄·6H₂O were observed as nuclei, the same substances were crystalized off at the stages of growth in bladder, while calcium oxalate was found as nuclei, the different substances were produced.
(5) Four cases of foreign bodies stone (clayon, paraffin mass, grass shaft and needle) were observed. In the needle, the main component were CaC₂O₄·H₂O, MgNH₄PO₄·6H₂O and amorphous-like substance, while the rest of them were MgNH₄PO₄·6H₂O and amorphous-like substance.
(6) Nine cases of urethral calculi and 7 cases of prostatic calculi were observed. Two cases of 7 of prostatic calculi were seemed to be consisted of pure apatite crystal.