Inflammation and injury: what role do they play in the development of Randall's plaques and formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones?

Urinary supersaturation is important for crystallization and likely cause of stone formation on ductal plugs. Formation of idiopathic stones that develop on Randall's plaques in the presence of low supersaturation is, however, dependent upon immunological responses of the kidneys. Experi-mental data suggests osteogenic and inflammatory processes playing pivotal role in plaque forma-tion and its exposure to the pelvic urine which is necessary for stone development. Inflammatory and crystallization modulating molecules are released into the urine, becoming incorporated within the crystals and stones as organic matrix. Many of these molecules play roles in both inflammation and crystallization.