Kidney Stones

Matthew D. Dunn, MD, presents the take home messages on stone disease/endourology from the AUA annual meeting in Orlando, FL.

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The recently concluded AUA annual meeting in Orlando may not go down as one of the most memorable annual meetings in recent years. Nevertheless, it was noteworthy for some interesting news and lively debate on hot-button topics: the safety of certain urologic products, namely, testosterone and transvaginal mesh; new tests for prostate cancer; infection prevention and treatment; and use of an advanced prostate cancer agent in the pre-chemotherapy setting.

When compared with shock wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy is associated with fewer repeat treatments, according to a recent study from Duke University.

History taking in a child who presents with a first episode of nephrolithiasis should include determination of whether there are affected family members, because pediatric patients with a positive family history appear to be at risk for recurrent stones, according to research reported at the AUA annual meeting in Orlando, FL.

A study of contemporary trends in the management of upper tract calculi shows the approach to treatment is influenced by several provider-specific attributes and identifies a steady shift toward increasing use of ureteroscopy.

Lumenis Ltd. has announced the U.S. launch of the Lumenis Pulse 120H Holmium laser platform for a range of urologic applications.

In this edition of "Coding Q&A," Ray Painter, MD, and Mark Painter also discuss the use of the –59 modifier when instilling mitomycin after TURBT, and whether you can charge for a establishing a treatment on the same day for a patient on whom you have just performed a cystoscopy.

This article examines the relationship between the metabolic syndrome and kidney stone disease. We explain elements of the metabolic workup and practical strategies for prevention and management of stones in patients with the metabolic syndrome.

Despite their overall low risk, procedures to treat kidney stones lead to complications that require hospitalization or emergency care for one in seven patients, according to a recent study.

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When it comes to counseling patients on kidney stone prevention, less may be more, suggests a study presented at the National Kidney Foundation's spring clinical meetings in Las Vegas.

Research in stone disease and minimally invasive surgery will also make its mark at the Society for Pediatric Urology annual meeting, which runs concurrently with the first 3 days of the AUA meeting.

At the 2012 AUA annual meeting, researchers reported that ureteroscopy had overtaken extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) as the treatment of choice for kidney stones. Look for research at the 2014 meeting showing that trend is ongoing.

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This guide features products and services from manufacturers that are exhibiting at the AUA annual meeting in Orlando. Exhibit hall booth numbers have been included so that you can search for product demonstrations and exhibits that are of particular interest to you.

A collaborative effort involving Duke University experts in urology, engineering, pathology, and mathematics has resulted in improved efficiency for shock wave lithotripsy, the researchers report.

In the lawsuit, the urologist contended the circumcision was properly performed and the patient’s curvature was due to a previously asymptomatic Peyronie’s condition, which was exacerbated after the circumcision procedure.

A diet typically used to lower blood pressure may reduce the risk of kidney stone development, according to a small, recently published study.

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Ureteric calculi at a skin-to-stone distance (SSD) of over 13 cm can be successfully managed using extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, British researchers report.

Postmenopausal women may reduce their risk of incident kidney stone disease by engaging in even mild physical activity and avoiding excessive caloric intake, analyses of data collected in the Women’s Health Initiative (WHI) Observational Study show.

Two separate studies provide insight into a pair of factors-diabetes and changes in the American diet-that may boost the risk of kidney stone formation, including the formation of certain stone subtypes. A third study, meanwhile, suggests that medical professionals who work in operating rooms face a higher risk of stones, possibly because of high stress and low fluid intake.

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Vitamin D does not appear to increase risk for developing kidney stones, say researchers from the University of California, San Diego.

In this interview, Brian R. Matlaga, MD, MPH, discusses factors to consider in the decision to utilize ureteroscopy versus shock wave lithotripsy, how to counsel patients on the optimal approach, how to minimize the morbidity of each modality, and why younger urologists are more likely to perform ureteroscopy.