Matrix crystals in cytologic urine specimens: observations on their mineral composition by energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis and morphologic scanning electron microscopy.

Crystals consisting by light microscopy of organic matrix (matrix crystals) encountered in cytologic urine specimens of 8 patients were examined for mineral phase components by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (SEM-EDX) and by morphologic scanning electron microscopy (SEM) performed separately in four of the eight cases. Whenever possible (three cases) mineralized crystals present in these specimens were examined separately by SEM-EDX for comparison of mineral phase composition with that of the corresponding matrix forms. Although by SEM-EDX components of matrix, glass and slide preparation media interfere with the precise estimation of the mineral phase components, the results of this method supported by the SEM morphology suggest that crystals consisting of organic matrix include a mineral phase, the lattice structure of which provides them from the early stages of formation with the characteristic morphology of the fully mineralized forms. This also suggests that organic matrix plays a role in the nucleation of minerals during the formation of certain urinary crystals.