Chemodissolution Of Stones
Calcium stones generally will not dissolve with medication. The less common uric acid and cystine stones may melt away with drugs that increase the urinary pH (alkalinizing the urine). These same stone types may need additional medications to prevent their recurrence.
We are more likely to advise a procedure for the following cases:
- A stone that continues to cause severe pain, or nausea and vomiting despite the measures listed above.
- A large stone that is very unlikely to pass (e.g., >10cm)
- A stone that is associated with infected urine and fever
A patient at high risk. This might include:
- Patients with stones who have urinary infections
- Patients who may be immunocompromised – HIV positive, on chronic steroid medication, getting chemotherapy or radiation, and Diabetics, especially when blood sugar levels are very high
- People with only one working kidney, or people born with only one kidney