Kidney and Bladder Stones

Calculi or "stones" of the urinary tract result from an agglutination of crystalloids and colloids found either normally in the urine or as a result of infection or of disordered metabolism. The term "kidney stones" may refer to a variety of calculi present within the kidney itself or in the ureteral tubes which connect the kidney to the bladder. The composition of the stones may be quite varied. The most common kidney stones contain a great deal of calcium and therefore are detected using standard X-rays or ultrasound techniques.

Pain is the most common symptom of kidney stones. This pain is usually sharp and of sudden onset. It usually involves the back or flank and may radiate to the groin region on the affected side. The pain may vary in intensity with the amount of fluids consumed or with urination. Other associated symptoms of kidney stones include blood in the urine, nausea, fever, and vomiting. The pain and nausea may become so severe as to require hospitalization for intravenous hydration and analgesia.

Treatment of kidney stones is based on the fact that most calculi will pass through the urinary system without any medical intervention. With proper fluid intake and adequate pain management, even large stones will pass with little difficulty. In the event that a kidney stone becomes lodged or symptoms become so severe, a variety of treatments are available to ease a patient's discomfort. these treatments include endoscopic extraction or destruction of the stone, shockwave destruction of the stone, or dissolving the stone with prepared chemical solutions. All of these treatment options are available at The Detroit Medical Center's "state of the art" facility.

Bladder calculi generally have a different origin than kidney stones. They typically occur in patients that do not empty their bladders well, leading to the build up of urinary sediment and recurring bladder infections. These stones are readily treated by a variety of minimally invasive or open surgical techniques.