LAUSR

Calculi from western countries contained higher levels of 13 HMTE (B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mo, P, Pb, Se) compared to those from Non-western countries. Urinary stones were more common in younger patients from Non-western countries, while stones affected older patients in western countries. Calcium phosphate stones had a higher concentration of heavy metals compared to calcium oxalate and uric acid stones. CONCLUSIONS: These results may indicate the role of multiple heavy metals and trace elements in the pathogenesis of urinary stones. The types and contents of HMTE in the stones differ from country to country. Therefore, conventional stone analysis techniques in addition to ICP-OES can be useful for comprehensive stone analysis and evaluation of different HMTE concentrations. Further evaluation could lead to new prevention strategy and reduction of stone formation as well as recurrence.