Investigations of trace and toxic elements of kidney stones from two different Sudanese areas by µ-PIXE using Nuclear Microprobe (NMP).

In this study 14 kidney stones (oxalate and phosphate stones) collected from two Sudanese hospitals Particle Induced X ray Emission (µ-PIXE). This technique was used to investigate the matrix as well as the trace element compositions of kidney stones on a microscopic scale using 1.5MeV proton energy. Significant differences in elements content across the groups were found by applying statistical methods. Trace elements such as P,Ca, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Se, Sr, Br, and Pb showed a possible linear relationship of the mean profile for trace elements for each group of stones. This study shows that micro analysis of urinary stones can provide complementary information on patients' exposure to epidemiological risk factors such as geography, diet and drinking water.