Acute Medical Aspects Related to Kidney Stones

The term “renal colic” is widely used to describe the pain resulting from passage of kidney stones through the urinary tract. This “colicky” renal pain is among the most common symptoms leading to emergency care presentation, and often prompts extensive differential diagnosis and work-up. This chapter focuses on the pathophysiology of renal colic, evaluation and acute management of kidney stones, and measures taken to prevent stone recurrence. It will briefly review appropriate surgical management of ureteral stones.