Preliminary diagnosis of kidney stones and ureteral stones

  Urolithiasis is the most common disease in urology clinic, the population prevalence is about 1%~5%, the annual incidence is 0.04%~0.30%, urolithiasis is easy to recur after treatment, the recurrence rate is 50% in 5-10 years, and the recurrence rate is 75% in 20 years, and the possibility of recurrence of stones is greater in patients who have recurred.  Upper urinary tract stones can be divided into kidney stones and ureteral stones. Kidney stones can be divided into upper, middle and lower calyces according to specific sites. Ureteral stones can be divided into upper, middle and lower ureteral stones.  Antler-shaped stones (cast stones) are branched kidney stones that fill the renal pelvis (and some or all of the renal calyces) and resemble antlers, hence the name.  The main symptoms are pain and hematuria, the degree of which is related to the size, location, activity, injury, inflammation and obstruction of the stone.  Pain in the kidney, lumbar region and abdomen is sometimes accompanied by pain in the ureteral path and testicles. Large stones with small activity are lightly painful and appear as dull pain, vague pain or no pain; small stones with large mobility often cause renal colic. Renal colic is a sudden, severe and unbearable pain that starts from the lumbar region and radiates along the ureteral path to the ipsilateral groin, testicles or labia. The lower ureteral stone will be accompanied by bladder irritation symptoms (urinary frequency, urinary urgency, urinary pain).  2. Hematuria microscopically or visually, the former is more common and sometimes microscopic hematuria is the only symptom after activity. The degree of hematuria is related to the degree of damage to the mucosa of the urinary tract by the urinary stone. If there is complete obstruction or immobilization, there may be no hematuria.  A small number of patients find that they excrete small gravel-like stones on their own. 4. Infection Some upper urinary tract stones can be complicated by urinary tract infection or are themselves infected stones. In children with upper urinary tract stones, urinary tract infection may be the main manifestation and should be concerned. When upper urinary tract stones cause acute pyelonephritis or abscess kidney, systemic symptoms such as chills, fever and shivering may occur.  Diagnosis Upper urinary tract stones should be considered first when the patient has back pain and hematuria at the same time, especially if typical renal colic is present, and if there is a history of stone removal to further qualify the diagnosis. The first episode is very important to clearly confirm the pain episode and its radiating pain site.  Laboratory tests Urine tests: urinary routine commonly red blood cells, a small amount of white blood cells often suggest inflammation, not necessarily infection; crystalluria is commonly seen during episodes of renal colic, and the crystalline pattern can suggest the type of stone composition; urine pH often varies depending on the difference in stone composition; urine culture can clarify the type of pathogenic bacteria, combined with the presence of large amounts of pus urine can help clarify the infection, and the corresponding drug sensitivity test can provide reference to guide the application of antibiotics. Quantitative 24-hour urinary lithogenic risk factor testing is an important criterion for the etiological diagnosis of many stones and is mainly used to assess stones with a higher risk of recurrence.  Blood tests: Leukocytes may be mildly elevated in routine blood during an episode of renal colic, usually as an emergency response of the body, and only blood leukocytes >13*109 may be considered as a urinary tract infection. Renal function and electrolyte tests in blood biochemistry are important indicators to assess metabolism and renal function.  Stone analysis: A method to determine the nature of stones, a core technique to diagnose the cause of stones, with samples of stones coming from self-exclusion or post-operative stone extraction. We have the most advanced infrared spectroscopy stone analyzer, which has been used in thousands of cases, and combined with 24-hour urinary stone risk factors can provide analysis of the cause of urinary stone disease for patients with recurrent stone attacks Imaging B ultrasound: an important tool for urinary stone screening, which shows stones as hyperechoic with acoustic shadowing, in addition to showing stones (stones with X-ray transmission can be detected), it can also detect stone induced hydronephrosis, renal atrophy, renal blood supply Alterations.  Urological radiograph: A routine test to confirm kidney stones when used in combination with ultrasound, which shows a high-density shadow on the X-ray. The volume, number and shape of stones are determined by the urological radiograph. Stones can be missed by intestinal contents and perirenal bones, and the presence of stones cannot be denied by urological plain films alone.  CT scan 3D imaging: the gold standard for the diagnosis of urinary stones recommended by the European guidelines for the treatment of urinary stones, with a slightly higher cost.