Chapter 4: Nephrolithiasis Flashcards
what is Nephrolithiasis?
A condition of kidney stones.
Nephrolithiasis is also called?
Calculi.
Kidney stones are a result from what?
From the growth of crystal into stones.
Crystals form in urine that is supersaturated with what?
With minerals such as calcium oxalate, calcium phosphate and uric acid.
What does kidney stones cause?
Sudden and severe pain (renal colic) in the back and side, burning with urination, hematuria and nausea are also common.
How are Kidney stones treated?
Depends on the size of the stone.
How are Smaller stones treated?
With no symptom usually they pass on their own.
How are Larger stones that affect kidney function or when the pain is too great to wait for the stone to pass are treated?
Surgical intervention is required.
Extracorporeal Shockwave Lithotripsy (ESWL) shockwaves are focused on what?
On the stones from outside the body.
Why are the shockwaves focused on the stones?
Because this causes the stone to break into small pieces, then they are excreted in the urine.
What is the most commonly utilized treatment for urinary calculi?
Ureteroscopic Laser Lithotripsy.
A Ureteroscopy is performed to what?
To remove the intact stone with a basket device or break it into pieces using a flexible laser fiber from inside the ureter.
What is Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy?
A small endoscopic instrument that is passed through the skin percutaneously of the back into the kidney.
What does Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy do?
Break up the stone and suction out the pieces.
What is the best treatment choice for large stones?
Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy.
