- Kidney stones present with similar symptoms as appendicitis.
- Obstruction of the ureter occurs by renal calculi or kidney stones where the ureter joins the renal pelvis (ureteropelvic junction), where it crosses the pelvic brim, or where it enters the wall of the urinary bladder (ureterovesicular junction). Kidney stones at these narrow points result in hydroureter and hydronephrosis.
- Kidney Stones are always near or posterior to the vertebra.
- Hydronephrosis is a fluid-filled enlargement of the renal pelvis and calyces as a result of obstruction of the ureter. It is due to an obstruction of urine flow by kidney stones, in the ureter, by compression on the ureter by abnormal blood vessels, or by the developing fetus at the pelvic brim over the distal end of the common iliac artery.
- Kidney stones (renal calculus or nephrolith) are formed by a combination of a high level of calcium with oxalate, phosphate, urea, uric acid, and cystine. It forms crystals and subsequently stones, is placed in calyces of the kidney or in the ureter and produces severe colicky pain while traveling down through the ureter. The stones are crushed byt he lithotripter (stone crushing machine) or ultrasound probe and removed by placing a catheter (stent) in the ureter from below to facilitate passage of the shattered fragments.
- Kidney stones (renal calculus or nephrolith) is formed by a combination of a high level of calcium with oxalate, phosphate, urea, uric acid, and cystine. Crystals and subsequently stones are formed in the urine and placed in calyces of the kidney or in the ureter. The kidney stone varies in size from a grain of sand to the size of a golf ball and produces severe colicky pain while travelling down through the ureter from the kidney to the bladder. Common signs of kidney stones include nausea and vomiting, urinary frequency and urgency, and pain during urination. The kidney stone is crushed by the lithotripter (stone crushing machine) or ultrasound probe and removed by placing a catheter (stent) in the ureter from below to facilitate passage of the shattered fragments. It is also removed through an open surgery by making an incision of the ureter renal calyces.
- Kidney stones (renal calculi) may form in the calyces and renal pelvis. Small kidney stones may spontaneously pass through the ureter into the bladder. Larger kidney stones may lodge at one of three natural constrictions of the ureter: (1) where the renal pelvis joins the ureter; (2) where the ureter crosses the pelvic brim; (3) at the entrance of the ureter into the urinary bladder.
- Kidney stones pass through the ureter to the urinary bladder and may become lodged in the ureter. The point where the ureter passes through the wall of the urinary bladder is a relatively narrow passage. If a kidney stone becomes lodged, severe colicky pain results. The pain stops suddenly once the stone passes into the bladder.
- The ureters narrow at three points – at the renal pelvis, at the pelvic brim, and at the bladder. Kidney stones may lodge at these locations with pain referred, respectively, to the subcostal, inguinal and perineal regions.
- While kidney stones are very painful they are not always associated with vomiting, nor does the pain locate to either the umbilical region or McBurney's point.
- Stones generally do not lodge at the edge of the greater pelvis.
- The referred pain from ureteric calculi is usually described as from “loin to groin” in that it often starts in back and side over the kidney and then extends in a band down towards the labia majora or scrotum (from T11 to L2). Normally the pain is intermittent and comes and goes in waves and may change in location, generally moving inferiorly with time. Depending on the chemical composition and shape of the calculi they may either block urine flow or if spiky, stick into the wall of the ureter. Kidney stone pain is often described as being worse than labor pains. Treatments include pain relief and drinking lots of fluids, and either lithotripsy (use of ultrasound to break up the stone) or physical removal of the stone (surgical) of the stone in severe cases.
- Often, kidney stones produce pains that is felt in the scrotal region.
- Excessive secretion of parathyroid hormone, as may happen in tumor formation, causes demineralization and the resultant weakening of bones and a tendency to form kidney stones.
- Stones tend to form when there are excessive insoluble salts in the filtrate. These stones may or may not produce symptoms; they may block the tract and produce excruciating pain. Such pain, referred to as renal colic, produces spasmodic pain in the flanks that radiate to the groin. Stones may predispose individuals to urinary tract infection b/c they result in stasis of urine and irritation of tissue.
- Stones can be prevented by treating the underlying condition, altering urine pH, and increasing fluid intake.
- Renal calcification (i.e., kidney stones) are reported as the most frequent complication of hyperuricemia. Patients with renal calcification from hyperuricemia can develop end-stage renal failure.
- Among the adult population in the US, renal calcifications or kidney stones were identified in 17 out of 26 patients investigated.
- Besides hyperuricemia, hypercalciuria is another risk factor for the development of renal calcification and kidney stones.
- Elevated levels of urate in the serum lead to the formation of kidney stones early inlife, followed by symptoms of gout years later.
- Catabolism to oxalate may promote formation of calcium oxalate kidney stones.
- Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome is a genetic disease caused by a deficiency in HGPRT that is characterized by mental retardation and self-destructive behavior. Lesch-Nyhan patients have increased levels of uric acid and sodium urate that lead to gout and kidney stones.
- Crystals of calcium oxalate account for up to 75% of all kidney stones
- Patients with Lesch-Nyhan Syndrome tend to produce urate kidney stones.
- Only the end products of purine degradation can lead to gout and kidney stones. The end-products of pyrimidine degradation do not cause these problems, b/c they are all soluble compounds that can be more easily excreted in the urine.
- There are three locations where large kidney stones lodge and get stuck. This can cause hydronephrosis.
- Kidney stones can be removed via lithotriptor (stone-crushing machine) or ultrasound probe.
- Stones form from calcium with either oxalate, phosphate, urea, uric acid, or cystine.
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