Catheter Encrustation by Struvite

Abstract

Encrusted catheters from 10 female patients were the source of 26 samples of deposits which were examined by X-ray diffraction. Four different types of catheter were represented. The only detectable compound in all of the samples was ammonium magnesium orthophosphate hexahydrate (NH4MgPO4 . 6H2O), which occurs naturally as the mineral struvite.