What is Urolithiasis?

Oct 10, 2018

Urolithiasis is a term used to describe calculi or stones that form the urinary tract. It involves the formation of calcifications in the urinary system, usually in the kidneys or ureters, but may also affect the bladder or urethra.

It is a common condition that with various risk factors and causes, including lifestyle habits and other practices.

Epidemiology

Renal stones are a common health condition, estimated to affect up to 10% of all individuals will develop a kidney stone throughout their lifetime although some individuals do not experience symptoms. Each year, approximately 1 per 1000 population is hospitalized due to urolithiasis.

Men are more likely to have urolithiasis than women, with a risk ratio of 3:1, although this gap appears to be narrowing over time. People aged between 20 and 40 years are at the highest risk of developing stones.

Risk Factors

This risk of urolithiasis increases as a result of any factor that leads urinary stasis due to a reduction or obstruction of urinary flow.

Certain risk factors contribute to a higher incidence of stone formation, including:

Male: men excrete less citrate and more calcium than women, which is thought to be linked to higher incidence
Ethnic background: individuals with a Native American, African or Israeli background are more likely to be affected.
Family history: some families have a tendency to produce excess mucoprotein in the urinary system, which can promote stone formation.
Medical history: some health conditions are associated with a raised risk of stone formation, including intestinal disease, recurrent urinary tract infections and cystinuria.
Diet: dehydration or reduced fluid intake may increase the risk of stone formation, in addition to increased consumption of sodium, oxalate, fat, protein, sugar, unrefined carbohydrates and vitamin C.
Environment: some regions are associated with an increased risk, such as tropical climates, mountainous or desert terrain.
Medications: some medication such as ephedrine, guaifenesin, thiazide, indinavir and allopurinol may lead to the development of stones.

Symptoms

The exact symptoms of urolithiasis depend on the location and size of the calculi in the urinary system. General signs and symptoms may include:

Renal or ureteral colic
Blood in urine (hematuria)
Urinary tract infection
Abdominal pain

Stones in the kidneys can obstruct the urinary flow in the kidneys or the ureters, leading to severe flank pain and possibly blood in the urine. Stones in the bladder can lead to symptoms such as pain and increased urge and frequency of urination.

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of urolithiasis involves a medical history and a physical examination, in addition to appropriate testing methods to identify the calculi and make the appropriate treatment decisions. This may include:

Urine culture and urinalysis to reveal signs of hematuria, pyuria, infection and acidity.
Complete blood count tests to detect elevated white blood cells indicative of infection.
Intravenous pyelography (IVP) to identify the size and location of the stone and its effect on the urinary flow.
Computed tomography (CT) scan to visualize urinary tract and any obstructions such as in acute renal colic.
X-ray imaging to identify the size and location of the stone.
Renal ultrasound to screen for stones and detect obstruction in the urinary system.

Management

The management of urolithiasis will depend on the specific patient case, based on factors such as the presenting symptoms and the size and location of the stones.

Most stones are excreted in the urine on their own and do not require invasive surgical techniques. Keeping hydrated to flush the stones out of the body is recommended initially if the pain is manageable for the patient. Simple analgesic medication such as paracetamol can aid pain relief.

In an acute situation, analgesic medications such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or codeine can be administered to relieve pain. Antiemetic medication and rehydration therapy may also be useful. Medical expulsive therapy can be used to facilitate the passing of the stone. For larger stones that do not pass spontaneously, surgery may be needed to remove the calculi.