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Kidney Stone
Medical Questions » Kidney Stone
| Name: Kidney Stone |
| Also known as: Nephrolithiasis; Renal Calculus; Renal Colic; Ureteric Calculus; Ureteric Colic |
| Formation of a crystal (stone) in the kidney. |
Causes of Kidney Stone
The kidney acts to filter the blood, and removes excess water and wastes. If these wastes become too concentrated or altered in some way, they can precipitate out and form a crystal that slowly grows into a stone. Most stones are flushed down the ureter (the tube that leads to the bladder from the kidney) and are passed out with the urine while still very small. A small number of stones slowly grow in size until they are the size of a grape or larger and completely fill the urine collection chamber of the kidney where they cause repeated kidney infections and pain. Medium sized stones from one to five millimeters in length enter the thin very sensitive ureter, and as the stone is pushed along the tube by the pressure of urine behind, it scrapes the tube wall to cause intense pain (renal colic) that can thus come and go for several days every time the stone moves. Kidney stones are more common in men than women, and in hot climates than cold due to the higher incidence of dehydration. |
Symptoms of Kidney Stone
Excruciating, intermittent pain in the loin (side of the belly) that goes down to the groin. Patients may note blood in their urine because the stone is damaging the ureter to make it bleed. |
Tests for Kidney Stone
X-rays of the kidney after the injection of a dye (intravenous pyelogram (IVP)) show the stone, its size and position. The progress of the stone down the ureter can be seen on repeat X-rays. Blood tests are done to check for the cause of the stone. |
Treatment for Kidney Stone
Most patients are given pain relief and lots of fluids to wash the stone down the ureter, and after a few hours or days, the stone enters the bladder and passes out without causing any further pain. Some stones get stuck in the ureter, and must be removed. This can be done in a number of ways
1. lithotripsy uses intense sound shock waves that are passed through the body to shatter the stone, the remnants, which are the size of sand particles, can then be passed normally through the urine.
2. passing a tiny umbrella into the bladder and up the ureter to a point above the stone where the umbrella is then opened, and slowly removed, dragging the stone along with it.
3. under the control of a radiologist (X-ray specialist), a tube can be placed through the skin into the kidney, and the stone removed.
4. rarely an open operation through the abdominal wall may be necessary.
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Complications of Kidney Stone of its treatment
Severe intractable kidney infections may be due to an undiagnosed stone. A kidney may be so severely damaged by a stone that it fails. |
Likely Outcome of Kidney Stone
Almost invariably kidney stones can be successfully treated, but up to 50% of patients will have a recurrence within five years if measures are not taken to prevent their formation. |
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