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Kidney stones - Symptom

Alternative Names

Renal calculi; Nephrolithiasis; Stones - kidney

Symptoms:

The main symptom is severe pain that starts suddenly and may go away suddenly:

Pain may be felt in the belly area or side of the back
Pain may move to groin area (groin pain) or testicles (testicle pain)

Other symptoms can include:

Signs and tests:

Pain can be severe enough to need narcotic pain relievers. The belly area (abdomen) or back might feel tender to the touch.

Tests for kidney stones include:

Analysis of the stone to show what type of stone it is
Uric acid level
Urinalysis to see crystals and red blood cells in urine

Stones or a blockage of the ureter can be seen on:

Tests may show high levels of calcium, oxylate, or uric acid in the urine or blood.

Kidney anatomy

Kidney - blood and urine flow

Nephrolithiasis

Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)

Lithotripsy procedure

Reviewed last on: 1/14/2009
Louis S. Liou, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor of Urology, Department of Surgery, Boston University School of Medicine. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Cameron MA, Sakhaee K. Uric acid nephrolithiasis. Urol Clin North Am. 2007;34(3):335-346.

Chandhoke PS. Evaluation of the recurrent stone former. Urol Clin North Am. 2007; 34(3):315-322.

Finkielstein VA. Strategies for preventing calcium oxalate stones. CMAJ. 2006;174(10):1407-1409.

Pietrow PK, Preminger GM. Evaluation and medical management of urinary lithiasis. In: Wein AJ, ed. Campbell-Walsh Urology. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 43.

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