How to interpret results

Below is a description of the terminology used when reporting quantitative urolith analysis from our laboratory.

Nidus - Area of obvious initiation of urolith growth, which is not necessarily the geometric center of the sample.

Stone - The major body of the urolith.

Shell - A complete outer concentric lamination of the urolith.

Surface Crystals - An incomplete outer lamination of the urolith.

Your quantitative analysis report will list the various possible types of mineral analysis along the left-hand side.  Across the top of the report, the nidus, stone, shell, and surface crystals categories are listed.  The mineral analysis of the urolith will be listed in approximate percentages of the specific mineral(s) found in certain layers of the sample.

Your results may show a combination of layers, or if the specimen is composed of a homogeneous population of crystals throughout, the only area that will show percentages, will be under stone. 

Please contact us if you have any questions regarding interpretation of your urolith analysis report.

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