[Metabolic investigation of calcium renal lithiasis in adults and therapeutic advice].

The various lithogenic factors are analysed. In patients with calculi it is proposed that the following are systematically carried out: -- precise analysis of the calculus even if this contains calcium to separate oxalate calculi from phosphate and carbonate calculi; -- plasma calcium, phosphate and uric acid levels together with electrolytes; -- 24 hour urine samples, on a normal diet, for calcium, creatinine, protein, phosphate, oxalate and citrate levels. Depending on the results obtained, further biological investigations may be carried out or certain aspects of the history investigated in more detail. In fact, it is essentially dietary factors which enable prevention: adequate fluid intake and normalisation of calcium, protein and sodium in take in response to laboratory abnormalities. Drug therapy is only justified in patients with recurrent calculi.