Abdali Hospital Stones Center

Stones are formations of crystals in the kidney, caused by accumulation of waste that cannot be effectively passed by urine. Stones typically cause pain in the abdomen or back, and blood in urine. They can lead to kidney malfunctioning, if not treated on time.

Abdali Hospitals’ One Stop Stones Center is a multidisciplinary team of urologists, nephrologists, radiologists and specialist nurses, that can diagnose and treat stones, using the latest techniques. We can organize a consultation appointment and diagnostic tests on the same day, hence accelerating your diagnosis and best course of treatment. If you need an emergency appointment after hours, our Emergency Department has a protocol in place to manage your condition according to the latest clinical guidelines.

Our multidisciplinary team is supported by the latest diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, including ultrasound and CT scanners and the most advanced lithotripsy machine for minimally invasive treatment. When surgery is needed, our surgeons are very experienced with excellent outcomes. The team will always choose the least invasive treatment that can effectively solve your situation.

Diagnosis

The following tests are normally required to diagnose stones:

• Blood test to assess the level of calcium or uric acid in your blood
• Urine testto assess the presence of stone-forming minerals or too few stone-preventing substances.
• Imaging, through computerized tomography (CT), ultrasoundor x-ray to identify the presence of kidney stones

Treatment 

The treatment for stones depends on the size and type of stone and whether it is causing pain or obstructing the urinary tract. The most common treatments are:

• Medical treatment (such as alpha blockers), they relax the muscles in your ureter which may be sufficient for small stones
• Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)uses sound waves to create strong vibrations (shock waves) that break the stones into small pieces that can be passed in your urine. The procedure lasts about 45 to 60 minutes and is normally performed in an ambulatory setting
• Ureteroscopy: Using a scope to remove stones, your doctor passes a thin tube with a light source (ureteroscope) equipped with a camera through your urethra and bladder into your ureter. The stones are broken into smaller sizes that can be passed through the urine. This procedure is usually carried out under general or regional anesthesia
• Surgery to remove very large stones in the kidneya procedure called percutaneous nephrolithotomy involves surgically removing a kidney stone using small telescopes and instruments inserted through a small incision in your back. This is performed under general (full) anesthesia.