Kidney Stones

Patients’ symptoms vary from no pain to excruciating pain. This depends on the size of the stone, the location of the stone, and whether it is causing an obstruction to the normal flow of urine. When a stone is stuck in the ureter, there is a sharp pain (usually of sudden onset) in the loin region, and often radiates to the groin. This pain (also called renal colic) is unrelenting, and does not decrease with any change in position. Other associated symptoms might also be present such as nausea & vomiting, blood in the urine (haematuria), painful urination, and fever.

In order to make a diagnosis of kidney stones, the urologist usually takes a medical history, performs a physical examination, and orders urine and blood tests. A CT scan is then performed to ascertain the shape, size and location of the stone. Based on the findings of physical examination, the CT scan and blood tests, a decision is made to either await spontaneous passage of the stone or to engage in active treatment for removal of the stone. The most typical ways to remove stones are by shock-wave lithotripsy (SWL), ureteroscopy (URS), and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL).

With active treatment, a drainage tube called a J-J stent is usually inserted to drain the kidney into the bladder. This is an internally placed tube and is not visible to the naked eye. It is usually removed 7 – 10 days after the surgery.