How can Diagnosis of kidney stones be confirmed?

Investigations for kidney stones

1. Radiography

Radiographs of kidneys, ureters and the bladder are taken.
When a renal calculus is branched, there is no doubt concerning the shadow it casts. X-rays usually confirms 90% of the renal stones except the pure uric acid stones.
When a stone is found, exposures are made during full inspiration and full expiration to see whether the stone moves slightly with the kidney during respiration.
This is essential to exclude other conditions which will show similar type of shadow.
A renal stone will be seen to super imposed on the bodies of the lumber vertebras.

2. Excretory pyelography

i. It is of value in confirming that the opacity is intra-renal.

ii. In determining in which part of the kidney the stone is situated and in revealing the function of the other kidney.

iii. If it has produced obstructive features or not.

iv. Presence of non-opaque stone which can be visualized by filling defect.

3. Cystoscopy

A urethral stricture or prostatic obstruction will be revealed by instrumental examinatio

Source: tandurust.com