Pathogenesis of kidney stones.

Although many risk factors and theories exist in the literature for urinary stone formation, a hypothesis is suggested for the pathogenesis of renal stones. According to the matrix theory, a protein such as uromucoid activates the initial crystallisation process by promoting the formation of calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate crystals as well as clumping in whole urine. We put forward a theory whereby one of the most important factors in the matrix theory would be the composition and concentration of the protein. In support of this hypothesis, emphasis is placed on the activities of urokinase and sialidase.