Abstract :
Kidney stone disease, also known as nephrolithiasis or urolithiasis, represents one of the oldest documented medical conditions in human history. Despite longstanding awareness of the processes leading to stone formation and evolution, the precise underlying mechanisms remain largely elusive. Recent technological advancements have spurred numerous innovations and surgical techniques for treating kidney stones. Research suggests that five distinct mechanisms, including crystallization and urine supersaturation, contribute to kidney stone development. Randall's plaques, specifically, play a pivotal role in the formation of calcium oxalate stones. Lifestyle factors such as sedentary behaviour, high body mass index, and poor dietary habits, alongside medical conditions like diabetes and dyslipidaemia, correlate with increased urolithiasis risk. Radiological imaging plays a crucial role in diagnosing kidney stones, guiding treatment decisions, and potentially reducing the need for surgical intervention, thus minimizing hospital stays and associated complications. This review comprehensively evaluates the efficacy of various radiological imaging modalities in diagnosing and managing urolithiasis across diverse clinical contexts, synthesizing evidence from peer-reviewed literature, primarily sourced from PubMed.
Keyword :
Calcium oxalate, Calcium phosphate, Randall's plaque, Nephrolithiasis, Renal colic