[Conservative therapy of phosphate calculi].

Phosphate stones are divided in two groups: I. Infection stones = triple phosphate stones (struvite and carbonate apatite). II. Calcium phosphate stones = Hydroxy apatite. Ad I. For the formation of this stone, infection with urease-producing bacteria is essential. It is important to look for factors that cause infection and for metabolic abnormalities. Three possibilities for treatment are discussed: Acidifying the urine: orally with NH4NO3 or NH4Cl; dosage is possible up to 12 g a day (metabolic acidosis!). Irrigation for instance with Renacidin ; when using a nephrostomy-tube, one can start 5 days after the operation. It is important to look for fever and flank pain. Especially useful in cases with small residual stones. Reduction of phosphate excretion in urine ( Shorr -regimen). Some aluminium combinations reduce the intestinal phosphate absorption as a result of the formation of a nonabsorbable aluminium-phosphate combination. This can be combined with a low calcium- and phosphate diet. In several publications good results are shown. Also when using a less rigid regimen, satisfactory results are seen: decrease of the phosphate excretion from 30 to 17 mmol/24 h (own investigation). Urease-inhibitors result in a lower urine-pH and a decrease of the ammonium-concentration. there are only a few publications with results, but AHA seems able to reduce the stone size in 24% of the patients. Ad II. This stone is concerning formation and treatment much like the calcium oxalate stone. In case of an alkaline urine one must look for primary hyperparathyroidism and renal tubular acidosis.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)