Nephrolithiasis and intestinal disease.

Kidney stones in patients with inflammatory bowel disease are usually composed of calcium oxalate. Two factors are important in the increased absorption of dietary oxalate which is responsible for those stones: 1) increased absorption of oxalate in the presence of steatorrhea, and 2) increased permeability of the colon to oxalate. Fortunately, some of the physiologic abnormalities can be corrected. A therapeutic approach is detailed.