Kidney Conditions

Kidney stones

Kidney stones are common and one in 11 people (9%) will get symptoms of stones during their lifetime. Stone formation occurs when salts and minerals normally found in the urine crystallise within the kidney. Usually these crystals are small enough to pass out but occasionally they can build up to form larger stones.
Kidney stones commonly present with back pain, blood in the urine or with recurrent urinary tract infections. If the stones drop from the kidney and blocks the ureter (the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder) they may cause severe pain (renal colic) whereby admission to hospital is often needed. If stones are left untreated, they may cause serious damage to the kidney, so it is important to seek medical help if you are experiencing symptoms.

Kidney stones are diagnosed using ultrasound, X-rays or CT scan to assess the exact size, number and location of stones. Depending on these factors, Edgbaston Urology Partnership provides several methods of treating kidney stones including non-surgical treatment, non-invasive lithotripsy, minimally invasive ureterorenoscopy with laser and keyhole surgery (Percutaneous nephrolithotomy, PCNL).

Furthermore once a stone has been treated successfully, it is important to prevent further stones from forming as over 50% of kidney stone patients will form another stone in the next 10 years. This can be done by dietary advice and a metabolic stone evaluation.

Kidney cancer

Kidney (renal) cancer affects approximately 6000 people per year in the UK. Risk factors for the disease include smoking, obesity, chronic kidney disease, high blood pressure and those with a family history of kidney cancer.

The majority of men and women diagnosed with kidney cancer have no symptoms and are picked up incidentally on imaging done for another reason. Some may have symptoms that include blood in the urine, pain in the loin/flank or through abnormal blood tests.

Surgery is the main treatment for kidney cancer, although if the cancer is small, surveillance is an option if surgery is deemed too risky because of your age and / or other medical problems.

Edgbaston Urology Partnership can offer fast track accurate diagnosis and staging, expert counselling and surgical treatment.

Kidney Infection (Pyelonephritis)

Pyelonephritis is a result of infection or inflammation of the kidney. It is more common in women and those with a history of recurrent urinary tract infections and often caused by Gram negative bacteria (E.Coli).

Symptoms can be sudden onset and include:

• Frequent, painful urination.
• Abdomen, back and flank pain.
• Chills and high fever.
• Nausea and vomitting.

The infection can be severe and potentially life-threatening and often necessitates admission into hospital and treatment with intravenous antibiotics. It is important to exclude an underlying abnormality such as an obstructing kidney stone, congenital abnormality or a dysfunctional bladder.

Edgbaston Urology Partnership can offer an accurate assessment of your symptoms and help reduce the chances of recurrent infections.