STAGHORN CALCULUS SYMPTOMS FREE

Struvite stones form in response to an infection, such as a urinary tract infection. It may also be associated with certain migraine headaches or with taking certain seizure medications, such as topiramate (Topamax). This type of stone is more common in metabolic conditions, such as renal tubular acidosis. Calcium stones may also occur in the form of calcium phosphate. Some fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts and chocolate, have high oxalate content.ĭietary factors, high doses of vitamin D, intestinal bypass surgery and several metabolic disorders can increase the concentration of calcium or oxalate in urine. Oxalate is a naturally occurring substance found in food and is also made daily by your liver. Staghorn calculus can be caused due to various types of stones.Ĭalcium stones: Most kidney stones are calcium stones, usually in the form of calcium oxalate. Fever and chills if an infection is present.Pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity.Pain that radiates to the lower abdomen and groin.Severe pain in the side and back, below the ribs.

STAGHORN CALCULUS SYMPTOMS FREE

25% of patients may remain completely free of symptoms. Symptoms may include flank pain classic for renal colic, fever, urinary symptoms (eg, frequency, dysuria), and hematuria (either gross or microscopic). Staghorn calculi, also sometimes called coral calculi, are renal calculi that obtain their characteristic shape by forming a cast of the renal pelvis and calyces, thus resembling the horns of a stag. Cystine stones, although much less common, may also develop into staghorn calculi. These stones are often referred to as ‘infection stones’ since they are strongly associated with urinary tract infections with urea splitting organisms. They are most often composed of struvite (magnesium ammonium phosphate) and/or calcium carbonate apatite. Staghorn calculi refer to branched stones that fill all or part of the renal pelvis and branch into several or all of the calyces. In essence, antibiotics cannot clear the associated infection unless the stone material is completely removed. This stone matrix is believed to protect the bacteria from antibiotics.

The infection stones generally grow rapidly and serve as the nidus (or center) for further stone formation. The alkaline urine leads to precipitation of magnesium ammonium phosphate crystals mixed with varying proportions of carbonate apatite. Urease hydrolyzes (or splits) urea into ammonium and hydroxyl ions resulting in an increase in ammonium and phosphate concentrations leading to an alkaline urine. These stones are associated with urinary tract infections caused by bacteria that produce urease. Approximately 75% of staghorn calculi are struvite (composed of magnesium, ammonium, phosphate crystals mixed with carbonate-apatite). Staghorn stones are stones that involve the renal pelvis and extend into at least 2 calyces of the kidney. Open surgery for kidney stones is strongly discouraged and reserved for only very rare cases with a very large stone burden or very unusual anatomy. The most effective treatment option is percutaneous nephrolithotomy, where the urologist inserts a scope directly into the kidney via a 1/2 inch tract made in your flank. Staghorn stones are large, branched stones occupying a large volume of the kidneys. Most staghorn stones in Western society are composed of struvite and can cause significant morbidity and mortality if left untreated therefore, large struvite stones must typically be removed. Staghorn calculi represent a less-common nephrolithiasis subgroup so named because the significant stone burden that fills the renal pelvis and calyces forms a shape on radiographs that resembles a deer’s horns. Learn all about staghorn calculus definition, symptoms, causes and treatment.

Staghorn calculus symptoms