Wednesday, April 06, 2011

Kidney stones- renal calculi- urinary stones

Renal stones or Kidney stones:
(This article is meant for both the layperson and those new to the science and art of sonography).
Most urinary stones or calculi as they are called in medical parlance, originate in the kidneys. Some are also known to form in the urinary bladder due to stasis of urine or collection of urine within the urinary bladder. Kidney stones in the urinary system pass from the kidney (renal calculi) to the ureter and thence, down to the urinary bladder.
One of the simplest and most inexpensive methods of diagnosing renal stones (kidney stones) is ultrasound imaging.
The symptoms of kidney stone include- passage of blood in the urine, or hematuria or pain in the side of the abdomen, along the flanks. Pain is usually the first symptom and may be the only sign of kidney stone. However, I have come across many patients who have absolutely no symptoms at all and kidney stone disease may be found only incidentally during an ultrasound scan. With phosphate stones in the kidney, the stone or kidney calculus may actually reach a very large size over a period of time (many years) and yet the patient may be unaware of the disease.
  Here are some ultrasound images of kidney stones:
Case 1: Left kidney stone- in the renal pelvis:



The urinary bladder in this lady appears normal as are the uterus and adenxae (ovaries).
The above ultrasound images show a large stone in the left kidney. The right kidney appears normal. The renal stone/ calculus is within the central part of the kidney called the renal pelvis, within which the urine from the kidney enters or collects. From here the urine passes to the ureter or muscular tube from the renal pelvis to the urinary bladder. The kidney stone here measures 1.8 cms., and has not produced any significant obstruction to the passage of urine to the left ureter below- this despite the large size of the left renal calculus. We can say this because there is no hydronephrosis of the left kidney. We shall discuss this term in detail below:

Case-2: Kidney stone causing moderate hydronephrosis of the left kidney

This patient shows a typical kidney stone location called PUJ calculus or stone located at the pelvi-ureteric junction, in the left kidney. The PUJ or UPJ is the junction between the renal pelvis and the ureter and is pretty narrow. The large kidney stone (shown above) is unable to pass down into the left ureter, and has become stuck at the narrow junction causing partial flow of urine downwards through this bottle-neck.
This has resulted in back pressure due to collection of urine within the collecting system of the left kidney causing the left kidney to "balloon up". This condition is called hydronephrosis and we can see this change in the obstructed left kidney above. If not treated quickly (meaning within a few months), this kidney could pass to a stage of severe hydronephrosis and ultimately become non functional or result in what is called renal failure.
Case-3: Hydronephrosis due to left PUJ calculus:
This is yet another case of left PUJ/ UPJ calculus with a relatively small kidney stone stuck at the narrow left uretero-pelvic junction with resulting left kidney swelling or hydronephrosis.(Note :-) kidney stones shown here are from 3 different patients and there is no evidence that the left kidney has a greater chance of being affected by stone disease).

The above ultrasound video clip shows the left PUJ stone in a better perspective with the resultant left hydronephrosis.
From the above ultrasound case studies of kidney stones, it is obvious that small stones can produce more trouble for the patient if located in a critical location, and that the size of the kidney stone alone is not the only factor that causes symptoms and clinical complaints and complications.
In case 1 above despite the large size of the kidney stone, its location above the narrow bottle neck called the pelvi-ureteric junction, has resulted in absence of any hydroneprhosis in the affected left kidney.
In cases 2 and 3, there is significant ballooning of the kidney as a result of the kidney stone being located at the PUJ (the bottle neck). In case -3 the kidney stone is less than half the size of the stone seen in case-1.

Case-4: Right mid ureteric calculus with right hydronephrosis:
This patient shows  moderately severe hydronephrosis of the right kidney. This is seen as collection of urine (dark space within the right kidney- image on left side). However there is no stone visualized in this ultrasound image. The left kidney appears normal (image on right half of the picture above).
We tried to trace the dilated (distended) right ureter (called hydroureter) downwards and this is what we found. There is a stone (ureteric calculus) in middle third of the right ureter, and it is pretty large (at 1.7 cms.). Tracing stones in the ureter can be a very cumbersome task and much of this depends on displacing gas distended bowel away from the front of the ureter. This is done by gently pressure with the ultrasound probe. This ureteral stone originated in the right kidney and has managed to pass down the right renal pelvis and right PUJ down to the middle of the ureter. This patient has experienced severe pain (called ureteric colic) as the stone irritates the soft muscle of the ureter. The next task for the stone is to negotiate the next major bottle neck in its passage downwards- the right VUJ (vesico-ureteric junction). This is the narrowest point in the urinary tract and is the point of entry of the ureter into the urinary bladder. We shall next see what happens when a stone gets impacted at the VUJ (vesico-ureteric junction).
Have a look at the ultrasound video clip of this case:




Case-5: Right vesico-ureteric Junction calculus:
The next destination that the kidney stone has to reach on its way out in the urinary system is the urinary bladder. But unfortunately for the patient, things are not so easy, and the narrow bottle-neck called the vesico-ureteric junction (VUJ) being the narrowest point in the urinary tract, most stones lodge here for some time before being expelled into the urinary bladder.
This is one such case-
This young adult male shows a small stone impacted in the right VUJ (ultrasound image of urinary bladder above). At 5 mm. size this urinary stone has transited successfully all the way from the right kidney, down the right ureter, and has almost made it to the bladder! But it has not quite made it. The stone is stuck in this narrow point, despite its small size. What is its effect on the right kidney? See the ultrasound image below:
Even a stone as small as 5 mm. is able to wreak havoc on the right kidney, which shows moderate hydronephrosis with right hydroureter. The left kidney appears relatively normal in this ultrasound image of the kidneys.
Case-6: Left VUJ calculus:
This is another patient with severe left flank pain. The ultrasound image of the urinary bladder above shows a suspicious looking areas in the left VUJ (vesico-ureteric junction). Most probably this is a stone in the left VUJ.
When in doubt, I switch on the color Doppler ultrasound button, and the result was a little twinkling (the blue color- arrow)  around the left VUJ. This is a clear sign of a stone here.
When we examined the left kidney, this is what we saw (ultrasound image of left kidney- below):
There is clear evidence of left hydronephrosis in this image above. The final diagnosis was- left VUJ calculus with resultant left hydronephrosis.

Final destination- the Urinary bladder:
Case-7: bladder sediments and debris:
What this image shows is transrectal ultrasound imaging (TRUS) study of the prostate (the triangular soft tissue structure in upper part of image). But what is even more striking is the particulate matter within the urinary bladder below (this is an upside down ultrasound image of the bladder). This is common finding in elderly male patients with urinary tract infection- the debris (particles) within the bladder being a sign of that.
Have a look at the TRUS ultrasound video clip of this patient:

The motion of the particles within the urinary bladder can be fully appreciated in this ultrasound video clip. particulate matter of this type can often result in colloid gel like matter forming the nidus (precursor) for stone formation in the urinary bladder. Thus elderly male patients with chronic difficulty in urination can sometimes develop urinary bladder stones. See: http://www.ultrasound-images.com/urinary-bladder/#Large%20urinary%20bladder%20calculus

Case-8: Urinary bladder stones:
As said earlier there are various causes for the formation of bladder stones. Chronic obstructive conditions in the lower urinary tract such as patients with benign prostatic hypertrophy can often develop urinary bladder stones.
These ultrasound images are of an elderly male with benign prostatic enlargement. There is a stone of 1.5 cms. seen in the urinary bladder in both transabdominal and transrectal ultrasound images (see below).














Transabdominal ultrasound image of stone in urinary bladder (arrow). Also seen is a Foley catheter bulb within the bladder.














Transrectal ultrasound image showing urinary bladder stone (above)....arrow.
Shown below is the TRUS ultrasound video clip of the bladder stone:

32 comments:

  1. Dr. Rajesh Taneja is Senior Consultant Urologist and Andrologist. One of the very few urologists in the country to have acquired the technique of Holmium Laser Enucleation of prostate (HoLEP)

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  2. Anonymous9:31 PM

    Thank you, very concise and interesting. I fit into the category of Layperson as I am lying in bed recovering from the removal of a kidney stone only a few hours ago. I had been suffering from intermittent discomfort for a couple of years now, most recently manifesting itself as a kind of spasm. As I had red and white corpuscles in a recent urine sample I was sent off for ultrasound investigation. A 10mm+ stone, thought to be a bladder stone until my operation, was found. Yesterdays operation revealed it to be a kidney stone 15 - 20 mm logged in the right ureic orifice. I take this to be a Case 5 from your list.
    From my discharge notes:
    Diagnosis: cystolitholapaxy, Renal Calculus
    Procedures: 7B1D3 Endoscop incision ureterocele,Litholapaxy
    Additional Details: Right ureteric orifice markedly abnormal reflecting impacted stone.

    My question is: if this is a Case 5 location and size of stone and given the amount of time I have had irritation from it, can I assume that hydronephrosis has occurred. Am I functioning on one kidney or would hydronephrosis have to be tested for separately?

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    Replies
    1. Hi friend, firstly let me wish you a speedy recovery. Your diagnosis is a large 2 cm. stone in the Rt. uretereral orifice. This is a common problem and I see a few such cases daily. The large size of the stone suggests that you would definitely have a back pressure effect on the right kidney (hydronephrosis). In addition you have a right ureterocele (again a not uncommon problem).. this is the result of a membrane blocking your opening of the right ureter or tube from the kidney to the bladder...hence I would expect a moderate hydronephrosis of the rt kidney.
      Yes a post op Ultrasound of both kidneys is a must to study the functionality of both kidneys.
      You may visit: http://cochinblogs.blogspot.in/2010/07/ureterocele-with-ureteric-jet.html
      to know more about ureteroceles and what they look like on ultrasound.
      Thanks for your comments about my blog.
      Have a good day and relax. I think your right kidney should recover after the surgery.
      Dr. Joe Antony, MD.

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  3. hi Doc,
    recently my father went through a scanning which detected a 0.8 cm stone in upper calyx of right kidney.The report concludes saying 'Right Renal Stone with mild Hydronephrosis".
    Few questions here, kindly answer
    q1.Is this a size that is uncommon?
    q2. shud he go for laser blast or pills would do.
    kindly suggest , doc.
    Thanking you.

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    Replies
    1. Hi rd,
      A 0.8 cms. stone is not a big issue. The urologist will first try to dissolve the stone with medication. This may take about 1 to 2 months. If this does not work, there is an option of ESWL or extracorporal shock wave lithotripsy... a method of using sound waves to pulverize the stone in the kidney. And yes....this size of stone is a common finding....I have seen extreme cases where the stone fills up the whole kidney--> called staghorn calculus. A 0.8 cm stone is a small calculus.
      Dr. Joe

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    2. Hi Doc,
      Today Iam diagnosed through ultrasound to have renal calculi and the report says that on the right kidney two calculi with combined length of 9mm seen at the right VUJ causing mild hydroureteronephrosis and mild perinephric fluid. And on the left kidney two cortical cysts seen, one measuring 11mm in the upper pole and the another measuring 10mm in the mid pole.
      Now I shall request you for your kind suggestion.
      Thanking You
      Rgds..

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    3. The cortical cysts are not much of an issue.. these are small and are like pimples or fluid filled bubbles in the left kidney. They must be followed up to rule out increase in size etc. The right VUJ stones need to be removed. They will cause much pain unless removed. Meet a urologist soon as possible.
      Dr. Joe

      Delete
  4. Feeling so great after getting this information. One of my friend had kidney stone and he was getting diet for this in fact he is getting good response but I would love to suggest regarding one after some time to check his kidney stone's condition. This looks so perfect. Thanks you indeed for sharing this.

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  5. Anonymous9:37 AM

    Hi doctor, i am suffering from sever pain on lower right abdomen, the CT scan reports says that there is a stone of 5mm at right vesicoureteric junction with hydronephrosis of right kidney. what should be the treatment for this?can this be managed conservatively or will i have to undergo surgical procedure?

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  6. Hi...you will require medication for pain due to the stone..
    you will have to drink plenty of fluids to expel the stone through your urine..
    if that doesn't work you will have to undergo a brief surgical procedure

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  7. Anonymous12:42 AM

    I have a 9 mm stone in the right renal pelvis. Tha ER doc told me it should not cause pain, this was while passing a 4 mm stone. However, I have daily RLQ pain and right low back pain. I have stabbing and blunt pain. Could this be the cause of my pain? I had a right salpingoophorectomy with adhesion lysis during my hysterectomy so theres not much over there that could be causing it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes.. the stone in renal pelvis may or not be the cause of your pain... difficult to say. But there may be associated urinary infection.. which can complicate matters. Please consult a urologist soon as possible.,
      Dr. Joe

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  8. Anonymous2:21 PM

    sir,i hv a 8.1m.m stone in Rt vuj with mild hydronephrosis with hydroureter. Doc suggested surgical trtment after medicinal trtment of two months.occational bleeding is found. What shud i do now. In ultra sound uterus n ovaries found normal

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    Replies
    1. I would advise a repeat ultrasound.. if stone is still present after medical treatment.. then proceed with surgery......
      Dr. Joe

      Delete
  9. Hello Sir,

    I am having a 11mm stone at L.Kidney 2cm away from VUJ, is it possible to dissolve it naturally or medicinally. Please suggest.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would like to have more details about this stone...is it producing obstruction?
      we first give trial of conservative treatment..
      if it fails then surgery is needed..
      Dr. Joe

      Delete
  10. Anonymous6:30 AM

    Hello Doctor

    I have 6 mm stone at PUJ with mild to moderate hydronephrosis. RBCs in the blood with intermittent pain requiring no pain killer so far. Is there a way to dissolve this stone?

    Vikas

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It would be advisable to meet a urologist. Surgical intervention may be advisable in your case.
      Dr. Joe

      Delete
  11. Anonymous12:57 AM

    hello sir... my sister has a 4.6mm stone in left vesicoureteric junction... seh has horrible pain since 2 days... shes on painkillers now... doctor said that it will eventually pass out by his prescribed medicines... one of the medicine is veltam 0.4... and other is some combination of pottasium liquid medicine....... she has terrible pain.. she was given buscopan , tramadol as painkilers... will there be any side effect of these medicines and painkillers?? and how long will it take to pass out the stone?? if it doesnt happen the is surgery better option??

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  12. Hello Doctor,

    I had 11 mm stone on my left kidney,8mm,4mm on my right kidney and 11.3 mm on left ureter.

    I met the urologist and i had laser surgery one week before and stent was placed in both the kidneys and he told me to come after three weeks for stent removal

    after one week(yesterday) i had automated flow of urine and liitle pain on my urine area. I went to another urlogist as the doctor who did the stent was OOO.
    he told me take uv scan and he told me that stent on left kidney got misplaced and he removed the misplaced stent from left kidney.

    However the UV scan also says the 11mm stone is still ther in my left kidney and 8 mm stone in my right kidney.(4mm stone and 11mm stone in ureter is not there)

    As of now he has given antibiotics tablets and said we will discuss once the doctor whos has done stent is back

    What should i have to do now to remove the 11mm and 8mm stones in both the kidneys?

    will the stent which is in my right kidney will disolve the 8mm stone?

    I am bit scared now as the first surgery has not removed the stones yet?

    Waiting for ur reply ...Many Thanks in Advance

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    Replies
    1. I would ask you to meet a urologist at earliest. Also if you can email me the report. (drjoea (at)gmail (dot) com )
      Also email me a good scanned copy of the pictures of the ultrasound scan.
      ESWL is also a technique which can be used to dissolve kidney stones without surgery.
      See google for ESWL....
      Again consult a urologist.
      Thanks,
      Dr. Joe

      Delete
  13. hello sir,
    I am 22 year old student,before 4 days it came to know me that I got a right vuj calculi of 5mm.I am staying in hostel very far from home.
    I dont know what to do.
    can i wait for 45 days or do i need instant removal?
    Is Ureteroscopy painful?
    will they give me Regional anesthesia while ureteroscopy?
    help me out please.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. First- consult a urologist at earliest. Drink sufficient amount of water. This may help expel the stone or calculus due to urine pressure. Medication to relieve the pain and dissolve the stone can also help.
      Dr. Joe

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  14. Hi doctor,

    I got severe pain on back of left side and doctor advised me to take CT scan.

    This is the finding :

    Left ureter appear mild ectatic with evidence of obstructing calculus at left VUJ , measuring 7 mm.

    Is there any chance of stone passing along with urine or do I need to take surgery as told by doctor ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. see: http://www.ultrasound-images.com/ureteric-calculi/

      Hello Sriram,
      This kind of VUJ calculus or stone is a borderline case in my opinion. You can repeat Ultrasound scan every 2 weeks to study the progress. If pain and back pressure effects on kidney present, then surgery needed. You dont need to cut open the abdomen to remove the stone. It can be done via urethra and bladder by cystoscope or a fibre optic passed along the penis into the bladder. That would be the best option if symptoms or problems increase.
      if pain present (ureteric colic) surgery is must.
      your doc has seen the images. so his advise is correct.
      Dr. Joe

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  15. http://www.ultrasound-images.com/ureteric-calculi/

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  16. Hi Doctor,

    I took the CT scan again after one week and surprizingly the size of it got increased.


    This is the finding :

    There is a 8mm sized calculus noted in the distal most ureter, approx. 2mm away from the
    left VUJ. Furthermore, there is upstream hydroureteronephrosis.


    I took almost 4 liters of water per day throughout this week. But, How the size got increased?


    Also, Few are advising to go for homeopathy.Is it a best option.


    please suggest.

    Thanks
    sriram.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I would advise you to go for surgery.
      As said earlier, it is a safe approach.
      Homeo not advisable at this stage.
      Warm regards,
      Joe

      Delete
  17. Anonymous11:08 AM

    Hi,I have got a calculus in left ureter 9×5 mm, 2 cm proximal to VUJ,with mild hydronephorsis and hydroureter.no symptoms for 3 weeks,and on tamsulusine, how long can I watch and wait, do I need urgent removal, pls advice

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  18. Sir, I have a mid ureteric stone in the L4 vertebrae of size 11.3 * 5.4 mm

    What would be the course of treatment by a urologist

    ReplyDelete
  19. Anonymous5:22 AM

    Hi Doctor,
    I have a kidney stone (5x3x6.5)mm stuck in VUJ for 2 weeks, Currently I am on expectant treatment for 10 days with plenty of water and medicine according to urologist advice. But results of removal as got from USG yesterday. Please suggest me the next step. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete