Harnsteinerkrankungen: Behandlung und Metaphylaxe

Urolithiasis is very common in the German populace, with a prevalence there of 4.7%. It is a great burden to the patient and also very costly to the health care system. Depending on the size of stone, pain symptoms, clinical course, and relevant concomitant disease, a watchful waiting or interventional strategy can today be chosen. The latter includes extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, flexible ureterorenoscopy, and percutaneous nephrolitholapaxy, the correct choice of which is decided by the size of stone and accompanying diseases. The main imaging techniques are sonography and computed tomography. For patients at high risk and those with recurrent disease, important roles are played by the metabolic evaluation and specific prophylaxis.