The Relationship between Location and Size of Nephrolith in the Pelvicalyceal System

• Main Author: Sultan Abdulwadoud Alshoabi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited 2019-03-01
• Series: Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research
• Subjects: renal calyx; renal pelvis; renal stones; ultrasonography
• Online Access: https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/12649/40101_CE[Ra1]_F(SHU)_PF1(AJ_SHU)_PN(SL)_PFA2(AJ_SHU)_PF2(PrG_OM).pdf

Introduction: Nephrolithiasis is a common health problem worldwide. Both location and size of nephrolith are essential factors in planning of clinical management. Due to lack of previous studies on the relation between the two, the present study was conducted. Aim: To assess the relationship between the size and location of renal stones inside the kidney. Materials and Methods: The study included 284 cases of nephrolithiasis. The location and the largest diameter of nephrolith were determined. Nephrolith was classified according to location as follows: lower calyx, middle calyx, upper calyx, renal pelvis, and Pelviureteric Junction (PUJ). Size of nephrolith was classified into three categories: ≤10 mm, 11-20 mm and ≥21 mm stones. Data were analysed using the SPSS program. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post-hoc analysis were performed. The results were reported as frequencies and percentages. Results: Among 284 cases, 270 (95.1%) were adults and 194 (68.3%) were males. Majority of the nephrolithiasis were located in the middle calyx (35.9%), followed by the lower calyx (32%), upper calyx (19.7%), renal pelvis (5.6%) and PUJ (6.7%). There was a true association between stone location and size (p<0.001). Stones located in the lower, middle and upper calyces were significantly smaller in size than those in the renal pelvis (p<0.001) and PUJ (p<0.001). Conclusion: There was a true relationship between the location and size of nephrolith in the kidney. Stones in the renal pelvis and PUJ tended to be larger than stones in the calyces.