Stones
Kidney stone patients state that kidney stone pain is unforgettable, even more painful than childbirth, according to most women. Fortunately, the treatment options that are available today allow most kidney stones to be removed without any incisions, and as either outpatients or requiring an overnight hospital stay.

Symptoms
the most common symptom of kidney stones is severe low back pain that radiates across to the front towards the groin area. other accompanying symptoms include nausea, vomiting, and blood in the urine.

X-Ray Testing
In order to prove the presence of a kidney stone, an x-ray test of your urinary tract must be obtained. These tests may include a plain x-ray film of your abdomen, an IVPC (intravenous pyelogram), ultrasound, or spiral CT (cat scan). An IVP involves injecting a dye into your veins, and then x-rays are obtained as the kidneys excrete the dye in the urine. A spiral CT involves a CT scan of your abdomen and pelvis without the use of dye.

Treatment Options
the treatment for a kidney stone is dependent on its size and location. naturally, the smaller the kidney stone, the higher the chances of spontaneous passage, and therefore the lower the chances that intervention will be required. typically, a stone that is 5mm in greatest diameter has a 50% chance of spontaneous passage. smaller stones than these have a higher probability of spontaneous passage and thus, observation with aggressive water ingestion may be advised to help the stone pass on its own. however, if a stone is causing intractable pain, or is unlikely to pass spontaneously because of its size, then intervention will likely be required.

For a stone that is located in the kidney or upper ureter, the most common treatment used is ESWL (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy). This involves using shock waves which are aimed at the stone using x-ray imaging. The stone shatters into fine sand particles which are passed more easily. This procedure is typically done with an IV sedation as an outpatient.

For a stone located down lower in the ureter (tube which drains the kidney), the preferred treatment choice is ureteroscopy. This involves the passage of a thin viewing tube through the urethra, the bladder, and then up into the ureter. A wire basket is then inserted through the scope to remove the stone under direct visualization. If the stone is too large to remove intact, it may first need to be fragmented using a laser so that the fragments can then be removed separately. For a short time, patients may require a stent, (plastic tube) in the ureter to aid urinary drainage. Ureteroscopic stone extraction requires a general or spinal anesthetic and is typically done as an outpatient or an overnight hospital stay.

Follow-up
Depending on the type of stone found, we will discuss preventative measures to minimize the risk of future recurrence. Sometimes, blood and urine studies may be required to help better determine the etiology of stone formation and to help guide treatment. Regardless of the etiology, the mainstay of treatment is aggressive hydration, usually eight to twelve 8 oz. glasses of water daily. Diet modification will also be required depending on the type of stone. Medications may also be required if stone formation continues despite the above measures.

Also, for more information see General Stone Prevention Measures