Nephrolithiasis: recent advances in therapy.

The stone-forming process includes crystal formation, crystal aggregation, and retention time to allow growth. The crystal-forming process, in turn, is influenced by the pH of the urine, the solute load, and inhibitors of crystallization. Idiopathic stone disease is characterized by recurrent formation of calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate, and hydroxyapatite stones without an apparent underlying cause. Treatment of idiopathic stone disease has been aimed at decreasing the solute concentration, increasing the solubility of calcium phosphate, or interfering with extension of the crystal lattice.