Randall’s plaque as the origin of idiopathic calcium oxalate stone formation: an update

Abstract

The majority of idiopathic calcium oxalate kidney stones form on the Randall’s plaque, a subepithelial calcium phosphate plaque at the renal papilla. The formation mechanisms of the Randall’s plaque and associated calcium oxalate stones remain incompletely understood. This article provides an historical overview of the research performed on this topic, describes the current epidemiological trends of Randall’s plaque-associated kidney stone formation and reviews the suggested formation mechanisms of Randall’s plaque and associated calcium oxalate stones. Finally, this overview highlights the recent advances made on the subject, including the development of an animal model.

Keywords

• Randall’s plaque
• Calcium phosphate
• Calcium oxalate stones
• Kidney stones
• Nephrolithiasis