Renal Tract Stones – Diagnosis and Management

Abstract

This chapter explores the diagnosis as well as various methods for stone clearance and recent advancements in each of the avenues, so as to provide the avid reader an understanding of the basis of each intervention and new exciting technology that lay on the horizon. Each section is further subdivided such that it would be easy for readers to search and look up relevant information at a glance without having to read through the entirety of the chapter. Firstly, diagnosis of renal calculi is explored, as renal tract pain can mimic a variety of abdomino-pelvic conditions and cause the same constellation of symptoms. Evidence based investigation modalities are discussed. Subsequently, management of renal tract calculi are divided into conservative management with analgesia and medical expulsion therapy, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, ureteropyeloscopy and laser lithotripsy, as well as percutaneous nephrolithotomy. The different stone size, composition, location and patient factors have all contributed to the different surgical options as detailed above. Each section end with a discussion of new and exciting innovations in each of the areas that may lead to even more efficient and safer interventions for the Urology of the future.