TYPES OF STONES:

Calcium stones are formed when there is condition of the parathyroid glands, which are small glands embedded in the thyroid. It secretes parathormone that controls the levels of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. And increase in its release causes excess calcium in the blood, which is complicated by stone formation. Calcium stones are also caused by renal calcium leak, hyperoxaluria.

Uric acid stones are caused by increased levels of uric acid in urine, which may in turn be caused by excess purine rich food intake (alcohol espc beer, organ meat, seafood, sweetened beverages). These are by far the most common stones found.

Struvite stones are horn shaped, made of magnesium, ammonium, and phosphate. It is caused by urinary tract infection.

Cystine stones are formed due to cystinuria, caused by a rare genetic disorder. These stones are larger than usual and tend to recur.

Stones the size of less than 5 mm can be excreted along without medical intervention. When the stones are more than 5mm it might require medical intervention.

A diagnosis is reached with the help of,

• Urinalysis (most of the patients present with hematuria, atleast microscopically)
• The presence of nitrites, leukocytes or bacteria in the urine indicate urinary infection, which can be confirmed by culture.
• USG (KUB) will identify stones of significant size, but it could sometimes miss small stones.
• A gold standard is a non-contrast abdominal and pelvic CT can be used to identify obstruction and infection.