How Are Kidney Stones Diagnosed and Treated?

St Pete Urology — Thu, 10 Jul 2025 11:23:57 +0000

3 Key Takeaways:

Diagnosis is Precise: A definitive diagnosis is made using advanced imaging, with a non-contrast CT scan being the gold standard for its high accuracy.
Treatment is Personalized: Your treatment plan depends on the stone’s size and location, ranging from passing it at home to non-invasive or minimally invasive procedures.
Modern Treatments are Minimally Invasive: Procedures like ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy offer highly effective stone removal with minimal downtime and a quick recovery.

After the intense, unmistakable pain of a kidney stone sets in, the next immediate question is, “What now?” The uncertainty about the size, location, and severity of the stone can be as stressful as the physical symptoms. The path to relief begins with a definitive diagnosis followed by a tailored treatment plan. Understanding how are kidney stones diagnosed and the various treatment options available is key to navigating this journey with confidence.

This guide from St Pete Urology will walk you through the entire process, from the initial diagnostic tests that confirm the presence of a stone to the advanced, minimally invasive treatments that can bring you lasting relief.

How Are Kidney Stones Diagnosed?

Your journey to relief starts with a consultation with a urologist. To determine if your symptoms are caused by a kidney stone, your doctor will begin with a thorough evaluation. The process of figuring out how are kidney stones diagnosed typically involves several key steps:

Medical History and Symptom Review: Your urologist will ask detailed questions about your pain (location, intensity, duration), any changes in your urine, and whether you’ve had kidney stones before.
Physical Examination: A physical exam helps your doctor rule out other potential causes for your pain.
Urine Test (Urinalysis): A urine sample can reveal tiny amounts of blood (hematuria) or the presence of crystals that form stones. It can also check for signs of a urinary tract infection (UTI), which can occur alongside a kidney stone.
Blood Tests: Blood work can show if your kidneys are functioning properly and check for high levels of substances like calcium or uric acid, which can cause stones to form.

Advanced Imaging for Kidney Stones

While initial tests can suggest a kidney stone, imaging is required to confirm the diagnosis and provide crucial details. The most effective diagnostic tool is a CT scan for kidney stones. A non-contrast helical CT scan is considered the “gold standard” because it can quickly and accurately detect stones of all types and sizes, even those as small as 1-2 millimeters.

In fact, studies show that non-contrast CT scans have a sensitivity of over 95% for detecting kidney stones, making them far more effective than a traditional X-ray. This scan tells your urologist the exact size, location, and number of stones, which is essential information for planning the best course of treatment. In some cases, such as for pregnant women or patients who need to avoid radiation, an ultrasound may be used as an alternative.

Conservative and Non-Invasive Kidney Stone Treatment Options

Not every kidney stone requires surgery. Your treatment plan will depend entirely on the stone’s size, location, and the severity of your symptoms. Many patients find relief through conservative or non-invasive methods.

Watchful Waiting & Medical Expulsive Therapy (MET): For small stones (typically under 5mm) that are not causing severe pain or blockage, your urologist may recommend letting the stone pass on its own. This involves drinking plenty of water (2-3 liters per day), using pain relievers, and sometimes taking a medication like tamsulosin to relax the ureter and help the stone pass more easily.
Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL): For stones that are a bit larger but still in a favorable location within the kidney, shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) is a completely non-invasive option. This procedure uses high-energy sound waves from outside the body to break the stone into tiny, sand-like particles that can then be passed naturally in the urine.

Advanced Procedures: Ureteroscopy and Laser Lithotripsy

When stones are too large to pass, cause significant pain, or are blocking the flow of urine, a minimally invasive procedure is often the best solution. At St Pete Urology, we specialize in state-of-the-art techniques to provide maximum relief with minimal downtime.

One of the most common and effective procedures is ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy. During this procedure, a urologist passes a very thin, flexible scope (a ureteroscope) through the urethra and bladder up into the ureter and kidney. Once the stone is visualized, a specialized laser fiber is used to break it into dust or tiny fragments. These fragments are then either flushed out or removed with a small basket. Laser lithotripsy is highly effective for stones located anywhere in the urinary tract and allows for immediate relief.

Conclusion

From a precise diagnosis using advanced imaging to a personalized treatment plan, the journey to becoming stone-free is clearer and more manageable than ever. Whether your situation calls for watchful waiting, non-invasive ESWL, or a minimally invasive procedure like laser lithotripsy, the goal is always the same: to provide safe, effective, and lasting relief.

If you are experiencing the symptoms of a kidney stone in the St. Petersburg area, you don’t have to endure the pain and uncertainty. The experienced urologists at St Pete Urology are here to provide a rapid diagnosis and guide you toward the best treatment for your specific needs.

Contact St Pete Urology today to schedule your consultation and get the expert care you deserve.

References:

Fulgham, P. F., & Assimos, D. G. (2016). AUA Guideline for the Medical Management of Kidney Stones. American Urological Association. Retrieved from https://www.auanet.org/guidelines-and-quality/guidelines/kidney-stones-medical-management-guideline
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, May 7). Kidney stones – Diagnosis and treatment. Mayo Clinic. Retrieved from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/kidney-stones/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20355759
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. (2017, March). Treatment for Kidney Stones. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Retrieved from https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/kidney-stones/treatment
Urology Care Foundation. (n.d.). Ureteroscopy. American Urological Association. Retrieved from https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/u/ureteroscopy

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7 Common Symptoms of Kidney Stone and Treatment Options

St Pete Urology — Wed, 19 Apr 2017 12:15:51 +0000

The symptoms of kidney stones are largely determined by the size of the stones. For small kidney stones, the symptoms may be mild. In fact, small stones may go undetected and pass out of the body painlessly during urination. The most common symptom of kidney stones is pain which begins as a vague sensation then becomes sharp and severe as ureter muscles contract and relax around the stones. Initially, the pain is felt on the flanks or on the sides of the body, between the pelvis and ribs, including the lower back and upper abdomen. Later it moves to the groin or testicles as the kidney stone moves through the urinary tract.

Generally, the symptoms of kidney stones follow the migration of the stone across the urinary tract. The symptoms will depend on whether the stone gets stuck in the kidney, begins to travel down the ureter, or causes an infection.

Therefore, depending on the size of the stone, symptoms may include:

Sharp, persistent and severe ache in the side and back, often below the ribs
Pain which spreads to the groin and lower abdomen
Pain occurring in waves and with fluctuating intensity
Pain when passing urine
Restlessness and inability to lie still
Nausea and vomiting
Red, pink or brown urine
Foul smelling or cloudy urine
Urge to pass urine more often than usual
Urinating small quantities of urine
Chills and fevers if there is an infection

Blood in urine, often caused by the stone scratching the ureter or kidney
A kidney stone may cause an infection when it has blocked the ureter, preventing waste products from passing the blockage and resulting in bacterial build-up. It is the infection that causes symptoms such as fever, chills and shivering, diarrhea, foul smelling and cloudy urine, and fatigue.

If you have these symptoms, it is important to see a physician, preferably a urologist. The doctor will perform a medical and symptomatic history, give a physical exam and order the necessary tests to confirm the presence of kidney stones and determine their size, location and appropriate treatment. The tests may include blood tests (like uric acid, calcium and phosphorous), tests for stone-forming salt crystals, infections, blood cells and stone factors, kidney function tests, and imaging tests (kidney ultrasounds, CT scans, MRI scans, abdominal X-rays and intravenous pyelograms). The urologist will recommend appropriate treatment after confirming the presence of stones.

If small, less-troublesome stones are detected, the urologist may recommend drinking 8-16 cups of water to flush them out. Along with the recommendation to drink plenty of fluid, the urologist may prescribe pain relievers such as ibuprofen, naproxen sodium or acetaminophen. In some cases, the urologist may offer a medication to help pass small stones from the kidney. The medication, called an alpha blocker, helps to relax ureter muscles and allows the stones to move quickly and painlessly out of the urinary tract.

Large stones are accompanied by various symptoms and should be treated using stronger measures. The urologist may use sound waves to break up the stones, a procedure called extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL). In some cases, the urologist will use a scope (a thin lighted tube equipped with a camera) to remove the stones. The urologist may also opt for percutaneous nephrolithotomy to surgically remove large stones, or even parathyroid gland surgery when necessary.

At St Pete Urology, we have experienced urologists and state-of-the-art facilities to ensure prompt diagnosis and effective treatment of kidney stones. If you have questions about this condition, visit St Pete Urology in St Petersburg for quality medical care.

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