Kidney stones are hard masses that can form in one or both kidneys or in the urinary tract. Most kidney stones arise spontaneously. Stones occur more frequently in men.  Kidney stones can be the cause of blood in the urine and severe pain in the abdomen. Nausea and vomiting occur sometimes. Pain may also spread to the groin.

Diagnosis is usually made on the basis of the location and severity of the pain. Computerized tomography (CT) scanning of the abdomen is the diagnostic test of choice. Kidney stones are found on an x- ray or ultrasound, as well. X-ray of the abdomen provides the physicians with a clearer idea of the exact size and shape of the stone as well as its surgical orientation.

Small stones (about five millimeters and less) in many cases clear out of your body spontaneously, with no outside intervention. Stones greater than 6 mm will require some form of clinical intervention. Procedure called lithotripsy is often used to treat large stones. In this procedure, shock waves are used to break up stone into smaller pieces that can then move out through the urinary tract. In some cases surgical invasive intervention is needed. Open surgery may be necessary for large or complicated stones or stones which fail other less invasive attempts at treatment. The surgeon makes a small cut in your back and uses a nephroscope to pull the stone out or break it up with shock waves or a laser. This procedure is performed under general anesthesia.

Dietary changes or medications are sometimes suggested to decrease the probability of developing more kidney stones.

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