Renal colic

Renal colic
Localization of pain caused by kidney stones
Specialty	Urology
Complications	Acute kidney injury

Renal colic, also known as ureteric colic, is a type of

Renal colic typically begins in the flank and often radiates to below the ribs or the groin. It typically comes in waves due to ureteric peristalsis, but may be constant. It is often described as one of the most severe pains.^[1]

Although this condition can be very painful, most ureteric stones under 5 mm size will eventually pass into the bladder without needing treatments, and cause no permanent physical damage. The experience is said to be traumatizing due to the severe pain, and the experience of passing blood and clots as well as pieces of stone. In most cases, people with renal colic are advised to drink more water to facilitate passing; in other instances, lithotripsy or endoscopic surgery may be needed. Preventive treatment can be instituted to minimize the likelihood of recurrence.^[2]

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of renal colic is the same as the diagnosis for renal calculus and ureteric stones.^{[citation needed]}

Differential diagnosis

A renal colic must be differentiated from the following conditions:^[3]

• biliary colic and cholecystitis
• aortic and iliac aneurysms (in older patients with left-side pain, hypertension or atherosclerosis)
• interstitial: appendicitis, diverticulitis or peritonitis (in this case patients prefer to lie still rather than being restless^[3])
• gynaecological: endometriosis, ovarian torsion and ectopic pregnancy
• testicular torsion

Treatment

Most small stones are passed spontaneously and only

A 2019 review found three cases of renal colic were hydronephrosis caused by malpositioned menstrual cups pressing on a ureter. When the cups were removed, the symptoms disappeared.^[8]

References