La cristallurie : un marqueur diagnostique et pronostique des pathologies cristallogènes et des lithiases rénales

Crystalluria means that crystals are present in urine. Crystalluria is the result of urine supersaturation as regard one or several poorly soluble chemical species. Crystals found in urine as well as their morphological characteristics, their abundance, their occurrence as assessed from serial urine samples examination may provide useful information on metabolic factors or pathologies involved in crystal formation and able to induce stone formation and/or chronic renal failure. Identifying some typical crystals may orient immediately toward specific diagnosis such as tubular disorders or enzyme dysfunctions. The calculation of crystal volume from crystalluria parameters may help to optimize medical therapy in specific clinical situations. The disappearance of crystalluria during the clinical follow-up is probably the best criteria for assessing the efficacy of diet recommendations or drug therapy proposed to avoid stone recurrence in nephrolithiasis.