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Illnesses We Treat
Kidney Stone Disease
What are kidney stones
A kidney stone is a solid lump or concretion (generally ranging in size from as small as a grain of sand to as large as a golf ball) produced from the combination of
urinary organic matter and mineral deposition. These concretions may pass from the kidney, down the ureter, and into the bladder. They may occasionally get stuck in the ureter so that the passage for urine within the urinary tract is blocked.
What are the signs and symptoms of kidney stones
People with kidney stones often have abdominal or back pain that can either be sharp or dull in nature. Urinary tract infections or blood in the urine can also be
present. When an infection is present, a high fever may result. It is important to see your doctor if you have any of these symptoms because not only can kidney stones cause intense pain, but they can eventually lead to
infections or kidney failure, which could require dialysis.
What are the options for treating kidney stones
Kidney stones can be treated with various procedures depending on the size and location of the stone. The latest modalities are available to remove kidney stones
including:
- Shock wave Lithrotripsy at Mount Sinai’s Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy Facility. Lithotripsy is a process of stone crushing
whereby a high-energy shock wave generated by a high-voltage energy source crushes the kidney stone into particles which are passed in the urine.
The Lithotripsy Facility at Mount Sinai was one of the first lithotripsy centers in Manhattan. With over twelve years of experience in treating patients
with kidney stones, this facility allows patients to receive the benefits of one of the most advanced shock wave machine available. This advanced
machine, which uses a tub-less generator that does not require patients to take a water bath, improves the quality of the image and decreases the
duration of time required to treat the stone. Lithotripsy is a minimally invasive procedure which results in minimized risks and allows most patients to be
treated on an outpatient basis. If hospital stays are required, they are generally brief.
- Surgery - Minimally invasive surgery techniques enable surgeons to use instruments either through a tract which goes from the back into the kidney
(percutaneous procedure), or through a tract from the urethra and bladder to the ureter and kidney (ureteroscopic procedure), to fragment the stone or
remove it entirely. Because the surgery can be done through such less invasive procedures, risks are minimized, and patients recuperate more quickly, resulting in
shorter hospitals stays than ever before.
- Laser procedures - Minimally invasive procedures such as lasers and ultrasound, and other modalities can be used for stone fragmentation. Since
laser technology has advanced, much smaller telescopes can be utilized which cause less trauma. Therefore, patients often can get laser procedures on
an outpatient basis.
What does the follow up care for kidney stones entail
Approximately two thirds of patients who have had one kidney stone are at risk for developing another kidney stone in the future. Because of this high rate of
recurrence, all patients who have ever had a kidney stone should consider a metabolic evaluation which includes stone analysis and blood and urinary testing.
Additional testing including the use of bone density measurements is sometimes required. This evaluation identifies problems in over 90 percent of patients which can be
easily addressed. Dietary changes (which vary from person to person) and/or medications can help to decrease future stone formation. Periodic evaluations with
state-of-the-art non-invasive imaging is also a part of periodic evaluation.
For more information or to make an appointment, please contact:
Thomas Grimaldi, M.D.
Michael A. Palese, M.D.
5 East 98th Street, Box 1272
New York, NY 10029
Tel: (212) 241-4812
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