All of the following form radiolucent stones except:
High-Yield Explanation
Plain radiograph
Calcium-containing stones are radiopaque:
Calcium oxalate +/- calcium phosphate
Struvite (triple phosphate) - usually opaque, but variable
Pure calcium phosphate
Lucent stones include:
Uric acid
Cystine
Medication (indinavir is best known) stones
Pure matrix stones (although may have a radiodense rim or centre)
Key Point:
Cysteine and Cystine are different amino acids.