Kidney Stones
Intro
Kidney stones, also known as nephrolithiasis, are calculus consisting of accumulated mineral salts that remain in the kidney or travel down the urinary tract and lodge at any point. Urine backs up and distends the ureter which causes the kidney to swell up. Kidney stones are more common among men than women, particularly as men age due to prostatic enlargement.
S&S
Referral Pattern
Pain from kidney stones is referred to the abdomen or flank. The location of pain is determined by the site of obstruction, in which the pain can be acute, spasmodic, and radiating pain with mild and dull flank pain. There is also discomfort in the lumbar region.
Red Flags
Blood in the urine
Tests/Diagnosis
CT scan is the gold standard
References
Chang, MD, S. L., & Shortliffe, MD, L. D. (2006). Pediatric Urinary Tract Infections.Pediatric Clinics of North America, 53(3), 383-384.
Image from https://www.google.com/search?q=kidney%20stones&psj=1&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.48705608,d.cGE&biw=1366&bih=667&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&authuser=0&ei=6nrUUejzGeGViAKqoYGwAQ#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=G3VUxk7yg2ODIM%3A%3B4Izhmu5upDVKTM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.bubblews.com%252Fassets%252Fimages%252Fnews%252F97098617_1365771617.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.bubblews.com%252Fnews%252F388591-natural-remedies-for-kidney-stones%3B300%3B302
Kidney stones, also known as nephrolithiasis, are calculus consisting of accumulated mineral salts that remain in the kidney or travel down the urinary tract and lodge at any point. Urine backs up and distends the ureter which causes the kidney to swell up. Kidney stones are more common among men than women, particularly as men age due to prostatic enlargement.
S&S
- hyperesthesia of dermatomes T10-L1
- hematuria
- palpable flank mass
- abdominal muscle spasms
- flank or abdominal pain
Referral Pattern
Pain from kidney stones is referred to the abdomen or flank. The location of pain is determined by the site of obstruction, in which the pain can be acute, spasmodic, and radiating pain with mild and dull flank pain. There is also discomfort in the lumbar region.
Red Flags
Blood in the urine
Tests/Diagnosis
CT scan is the gold standard
References
Chang, MD, S. L., & Shortliffe, MD, L. D. (2006). Pediatric Urinary Tract Infections.Pediatric Clinics of North America, 53(3), 383-384.
Image from https://www.google.com/search?q=kidney%20stones&psj=1&bav=on.2,or.r_cp.r_qf.&bvm=bv.48705608,d.cGE&biw=1366&bih=667&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hl=en&tbm=isch&source=og&sa=N&tab=wi&authuser=0&ei=6nrUUejzGeGViAKqoYGwAQ#facrc=_&imgdii=_&imgrc=G3VUxk7yg2ODIM%3A%3B4Izhmu5upDVKTM%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.bubblews.com%252Fassets%252Fimages%252Fnews%252F97098617_1365771617.jpg%3Bhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.bubblews.com%252Fnews%252F388591-natural-remedies-for-kidney-stones%3B300%3B302