Crystalopathy – underestimated entity in nephrology

Summary

Crystal is a solid particle with a geometric shape because its atoms, ions, or molecules are arranged in a regular ordered structure. However, in case of accidental order of the particles, we are talking about the amorphous substances which can also form crystal‑like particles. Crystallopathy is a disease that involves crystals of crystal‑like particulate matter in the pathogenesis of tissue injury. Generally, several predominant pathophysiological mechanisms are involved in the formation of crystallopathies: necroinflammation, chronic remodeling of tissues leading to their atrophy and scarring, and obstruction of ducts, cavities or vessels by larger crystalline masses or stones. The basic distribution of crystallopathies in nephrology is as follows: renovascular crystallopathy (type 1), tubular crystallopathy (type 2), and finally urolithiasis (type 3) (tab. 1). Nowadays, the issue of crystallopathies in general medicine is omitted frequently not only among a wide range of professionals in the field of internal medicine but also in the field of specialists – nephrologists, urologist etc. One of the possible reasons may be the complexity and difficulty of grasping a wide‑ranging topic, so it is our intention to provide an overview of the latest findings and possible approaches to this problem.

Keywords:

tubulointerstitial nephritis – urolithiasis – hyperuricemia – cholesterol embolism – crystallopathy – oxalate