Diagnosis
The following tests are normally required to diagnose stones:
- Blood test to assess the level of calcium or uric acid in your blood
- Urine testto assess the presence of stone-forming minerals or too few stone-preventing substances.
- Imaging, through computerized tomography (CT), ultrasoundor x-ray to identify the presence of kidney stones
Treatment
The treatment for stones depends on the size and type of stone and whether it is causing pain or obstructing the urinary tract. The most common treatments are:
- Medical treatment (such as alpha blockers), they relax the muscles in your ureter which may be sufficient for small stones
- Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)uses sound waves to create strong vibrations (shock waves) that break the stones into small pieces that can be passed in your urine. The procedure lasts about 45 to 60 minutes and is normally performed in an ambulatory setting
- Ureteroscopy: Using a scope to remove stones, your doctor passes a thin tube with a light source (ureteroscope) equipped with a camera through your urethra and bladder into your ureter. The stones are broken into smaller sizes that can be passed through the urine. This procedure is usually carried out under general or regional anesthesia
- Surgery to remove very large stones in the kidneya procedure called percutaneous nephrolithotomy involves surgically removing a kidney stone using small telescopes and instruments inserted through a small incision in your back. This is performed under general (full) anesthesia.