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Last updated: December 2020
Urolithiasis is the formation and passage of calculi (stones) in the urinary tract.
Clinical features
- Many calculi do not cause symptoms; they may be found incidentally through radiology exams.
- Symptoms arise when calculi cause partial or complete obstruction and/or infection:
- Intermittent, acute flank to pelvic pain (renal colic). Pain can be severe and typically causes nausea and vomiting. Abdomen/flank may be tender to palpation. Patients are typically restless, finding no comfortable position.
- Haematuria and/or gravel (calculi) passed in urine.
- Fever and signs of pyelonephritis if secondary infection develops (see Acute pyelonephritis, Chapter 9).
Note: if available, ultrasound may demonstrate calculi and hydronephrosis.
Treatment
- Encourage the patient to drink fluids.
- Administer analgesics according to the intensity of pain (see Pain, Chapter 1).
- In case of secondary infection: antibiotic treatment as for pyelonephritis. The effectiveness will depend on the passage of calculi.
Note: the majority of calculi pass spontaneously. If there are signs of significant renal dysfunction or secondary infection that does not improve with antibiotic treatment, consider surgical referral.