The Composition of Catheter Encrustations, including the Effects of Allopurinol Treatment

Abstract

The composition of encrustations precipitated on longterm indwelling urethral catheters was analyzed using a newly developed wet chemical method that allows determination of small sample volumes. In contrast to earlier studies, the major portion of the encrusted material could be identified; ammonium magnesium phosphate and calcium phosphates (brushite and apatite) were the major components. Allopurinol significantly decreased the amounts of urate and calcium phosphate but did not significantly lower the total amount of material precipitated on the catheters.