Diagnosis and Evaluation of Calcium Oxalate Stones
There are several types of tests used for the diagnosis and evaluation of calcium oxalate stones. Imaging studies, urinalysis, and stone analysis are used at different stages of the management this problem.
There are different imaging technologies that may be used for the evaluation and management of calcium oxalate stones. Many times, kidney stones are asymptomatic and are an incidental finding of an abdominal ultrasound or an abdominal CT scan. However, the ultrasound or the CT scan are part of the evaluation of abdominal pain. If the stones are causing the pain, those imaging tests will help with the location of the stones and to evaluate if there is hydronephrosis. The CT scan is more useful to plan subsequent procedures such as a lithotripsy or the placement of ureteral stents or nephrostomy tubes (tubes that go directly into the kidney).
The urinalysis is useful in different situations. When there are no symptoms, the incidental finding of microscopic hematuria may help uncover kidney stone disease. Also, when there is urinary tract obstruction from a kidney stone, the finding of pyuria (white blood cells in the urine) can help in the diagnosis of cystitis or pyelonephritis. Last, but not least, the finding of the typical calcium oxalate crystals (or others) can give us a clue regarding the composition of the kidney stones.
A kidney stone analysis is essential to guide guide secondary prevention of kidney stones. If a person has known oxalate kidney stones after submitting the stones for analysis, directed recommendations can be given to reduce the oxalate excretion though the urine.
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Ramos, Marco.“Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones For Everyone #6. Diagnosis and Evaluation of Calcium Oxalate Stones”. SMO Blog (blog). Second Medical Opinions PLC, March 24, 2020. @secondmedicalop/calcium-oxalate-kidney-stones-for-everyone-6-diagnosis-and-evaluation-of-calcium-oxalate-stones
Read the other sections of this series:
Introduction
What Causes Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones? A
What Causes Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones? B
What Causes Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones? C
What Causes Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones? D
How Common Are Calcium Oxalate Kidney Stones?
What Happens When Someone has Calcium Oxalate Stones?
Signs and Symptoms of Calcium Oxalate Stones