Renal stone disease

Renal stone disease (urolithiasis, nephrolithiasis) covers many conditions causing kidney, ureteric or bladder stones. These include metabolic and inherited disorders, anatomical defects of the upper or lower urinary tract, and chronic urinary infection. However, most cases of renal stones are idiopathic and present with loin or abdominal pain, and macro- or microscopic haematuria; leading to the eventual passage of a stone and resolution, or the need for further investigation and intervention. Renal stones often recur, and the underlying causes need to be looked into, particularly as stones can be related to lifestyle and they are often associated with diseases such as hypertension or diabetes. Although clinical management may seem simple, and largely surgical, the increasing prevalence of renal stone disease in Western society is becoming a significant economic and health burden.