Acid-base disorders and kidney stones

Acid-base disturbances directly influence the composition and hence the lithogenicity of urine. Although the physiological redundancy is relatively large, the risk for the development of kidney stones is increased under certain clinical circumstances. Kidney stones containing calcium phosphate, uric acid or ammonium urate are frequently associated with systemic acid-base disturbances. For early recognition and prompt initiation of effective treatment measures for these disorders, a thorough knowledge of the underlying pathomechanisms is critical. The purpose of this review is to summarize the pathophysiology and treatment options of kidney stones associated with systemic acid-base disturbances.