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Cystinuria

Alternative Names:

Stones - cystine; Cystine stones

Treatment:

Treatment goals include relief of symptoms and preventing the development of more stones. Hospitalization may be required if symptoms are severe.

Stones are usually passed spontaneously. The urine should be strained, and the stone saved for analysis. The patient should drink enough fluid to produce large amounts of urine. Drinking water is encouraged, usually at least 6-8 glasses per day. Patients are urged to continue high liquid intake as an important part of treatment. Intravenous fluids may be required.

Cystine is more soluble in alkaline solution, so potassium citrate or potassium bicarbonate (or similar medications) may be used to make the urine alkaline. Other medications, such as penicillamine, may be used to help dissolve cystine. Eating less salt can also decrease cystine excretion and stone formation.

Analgesics (pain relievers) may be needed to control renal or ureteric colic (pain in the kidney or bladder area associated with the passage of stones).

If the stone is not excreted spontaneously, surgical removal may be necessary.

Lithotripsy may be an alternative to surgery. In this procedure, ultrasonic waves or shock waves are used to break up stones so that they may be expelled in the urine (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy), or removed with an endoscope that is inserted into the kidney via a small flank (side of the body) incision (percutaneous nephrolithotomy). Lithotripsy is not as successful for removal of cystine stones as it is for other types of stones.

Expectations (prognosis):

Cystinuria is a chronic , lifelong condition. The incidence of symptomatic stone formation is variable, but recurrence of stones is common. The disorder seldom results in kidney failure, and it does not affect other organs.

Complications:

Calling your health care provider:

Call your health care provider if you have symptoms of urinary tract stones.

Female urinary tract

Female urinary tract

Male urinary tract

Male urinary tract

Cystinuria

Cystinuria

Nephrolithiasis

Nephrolithiasis

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