Ureterolithiasis:
Ureterolithiasis is a condition where a hard deposit made of minerals and salts forms inside the ureter, which is the tube that connects the kidney to the bladder. This condition is also known as "stones in the ureter". Ureterolithiasis is a type of kidney stone, which is a hard object made from chemicals in the urine.
Causes
Causes of ureterolithiasis include:
- High levels of calcium, oxalate, and phosphorus in the urine, can lead to stone formation.
- Certain foods increase the likelihood of developing kidney stones, especially in individuals predisposed to stone formation.
- Obesity, which is associated with an increased risk of kidney stones.
Four types of kidney stones: calcium oxalate, uric acid, struvite, and cystine.
- Struvite stones can form in response to a urinary tract infection.
- Uric acid stones may develop in individuals who experience excessive fluid loss.
Symptoms
The common symptoms of kidney stones include:
- Sharp, cramping pain in the back and side.
- Pain that radiates from the back or side to the lower abdomen or groin.
- Blockage of urine flow due to a lodged stone in the ureter, causing kidney swelling and ureter spasms.
- Pain or burning sensation during urination (dysuria).
- Urgent and frequent need to urinate.
- Presence of blood in the urine (hematuria).
- Feeling sweaty or experiencing cold sweats.
- Severe pain that comes and goes in waves (renal colic).
- Nausea or vomiting.
- Cloudy or foul-smelling urine.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of ureterolithiasis involves the following tests:
- History and physical exam
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Basic metabolic panel (BMP)
- Urinalysis
- Renal ultrasound
- Radiographs
- CT scan of the abdomen and pelvis
- Stone composition evaluation
- 24-hour urine collection
- Cultures
