Tests & Treatments for Stone Disease at University of Colorado Hospital
Tests for Stone Disease
Physical exam
Your doctor may check to see if your abdomen is distended; for men, your doctor might perform a rectal exam to check for an enlarged prostate.
Urinalysis
Urine is tested for various compounds, like nitrates, blood, bacteria and crystallized minerals.
Cystoscopy
Examination of the inside of the bladder. A small tube with a camera at the end is inserted into the urethra and bladder.
X-ray
Takes a picture of your urinary tract.
Intravenous pyelogram
A dye is injected into a vein in your arm. The dye travels to your kidneys, ureters and bladder, and highlights the organs. Then X-rays are taken.
Ultrasound
Sound waves are bounced off of the urinary tract to create pictures.
Computerized tomography (CT) scan
Uses special X-ray equipment that produces multiple pictures of the urinary tract.
Treatments for Stone Disease
Diet change
Your doctor may work with you to increase your water intake.
Medication
Can control things in the urine that cause stone disease.
Extracorporeal shockwave lithotrips
Shock waves are created outside of the body. They travel through the skin and body tissue and hit the stones. The stones break down into smaller pieces and pass through the urinary tract. Anesthesia is used, and the procedure is generally done on an outpatient basis. There is a short recovery time.
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy
A surgeon creates a tunnel into the kidney from a small incision in the back. The stone is removed using a nephroscope (a kidney telescope). This procedure usually requires a three-day hospital stay.
Ureteroscopic stone removal
A surgeon moves a ureteroscope (a small fiberoptic instrument) through the urethra and bladder, into the ureter. The stone is either removed or shattered with a shock wave.
Cystolitholapaxy
A doctor moves a cytoscope (a small tube with a camera) through the urethra and into the bladder. A laser, ultrasound or mechanical device breaks the stone into pieces and flushes them from the bladder. Regional or general anesthesia is used.