Renal Stones Flashcards
Don't get these ever in your life. Ever.
What are the different types of renal stones?
Calcium oxalate (70%), uric acid stones, cysteine, struvite
What investigations would you perform?
FBC, EUC, LFT, CMP, urinalysis, X-Ray KUB, renal ultrasound, b-HCG and lipase, IV pyelogram
Possible sites of impaction for renal stone
Renal pelvis, pelvic brim, vesico-ureteric junction
Arterial supply of the ureters
Upper - renal arteries (ureteric branch)
Middle - gonadal and internal iliac arteries
Lower - superior and inferior vesical arteries
Explain loin to groin pain
Supplied by nerves arising from T11-L2, therefore the pain is felt over these dermatomes
Why is pain described as renal colic?
It is colicky i.e. it comes and goes. This is due to peristalsis of the ureters. When the ureters contract on the stone, it causes mechanical irritation of the nociceptive fibres which then transmit the pain
Why does the right kidney sit lower than the left?
The liver :D
Where do the ureters travel in relation to the vertebrae?
Just medial to the transverse processes
