Ureter Stone: Diagnosis and Treatment

A ureteral stone is essentially a kidney stone that gets stuck within one of the two ureters leading from the kidney into other parts of the urinary tract. A ureter stone may have originated in the kidney and travelled down into the ureter, or it may form when particles of minerals in stagnated urine crystallize and form a mineral mass in the ureter. Depending on the size, a small stone can disengage and pass through the ureter and out of the body unnoticed. If the stone is large enough, it can block the flow of urine from the kidney to the bladder and may cause extreme pain. Urinary tract stones are fairly common.

Symptoms

If the stone in the ureter is small, it will cause no symptoms. However, the most common symptom of ureter stone is the pain in the lower abdomen or flank. Other possible symptoms include pain or a burning sensation when you pee, blood in the urine, frequent urge to urinate, nausea and vomiting, and fever. Accompanying fever and chills may be an indication of the presence of infection. If anyone experiences any of these symptoms, seek advice from urologist as soon as possible.

Diagnosis

If a person notices the pain in the lower abdomen, or have noticed blood in the urine, the healthcare provider may suggest a diagnostic imaging test to look for the stones. The two most common imaging tests for the ureter stone include a computed tomography (CT) scan and an ultrasound. These tests help urologist to determine the size and location of stone which help the doctor in developing the right type of treatment plan.

Treatment

If the size of the ureter stone is small, your doctor may recommend drinking water to allow the stone to pass. Pain medications to help manage the pain and discomfort may also be recommended by the doctor.

If the stone in the ureter is wider, it can get stuck because ureter is the narrowest point in your urinary tract. This condition can cause severe pain and raises the risk of developing an infection. A urologist may recommend procedures such as Ureteral stent placement, Nephrostomy tube placement, Shock wave lithotripsy, Ureteroscopy, Percutaneous nephrolithotomy, and Medical expulsive therapy to remove the ureter stone that is too large to pass it own.

Care at Uro Clinic Care

Urologist at Uro Clinic Care is a pioneer in the treatment and preventing of the stone disease. Uro Clinic Care’s urologist and urology surgeon work closely with doctors in nephrology, radiology and nutrition to ensure that you receive the most comprehensive care possible.