Lesson 1Relevant renal and urinary tract anatomy: kidney, collecting system, ureteral course, relations causing referred painKidney and ureter layout for stones: collecting cups, pelvis, narrow spots, blood vessel/pelvic links, pain referral to side, groin, privates.
Renal cortex, medulla, and collecting systemRenal pelvis and calyceal anatomyUreteral course and narrow segmentsRelations to vessels, bowel, and pelvisPathways of referred flank and groin painLesson 2History elements: onset, prior stones, metabolic history, family history, medication/occupation risk factorsKey history for stone suspicion: pain start, past stones, body chemistry/system illness, family, diet, drugs, job, complication/repeat predictors.
Character and timing of pain episodesPast stones, procedures, and outcomesMetabolic and systemic disease historyFamily history and genetic conditionsDiet, fluid intake, drugs, occupationLesson 3Physical exam maneuvers: costovertebral angle tenderness, abdominal exam, testicular/inguinal exam when indicatedTargeted checks for side pain: vitals, belly, kidney angle press, privates/groin if needed, signs pointing other causes.
Vital signs and overall illness severityCostovertebral angle tenderness techniqueAbdominal exam for peritonitis or massGenital and inguinal exam when neededSigns pointing away from stone diseaseLesson 4Stone prevention basics: metabolic workup indications, 24-hour urine testing, dietary and pharmacologic prevention strategiesStone stopping: when for body chemistry checks, 24-hr urine, diet advice, fluids, drugs matched to stone type/risk.
Who needs full metabolic workupCollecting and interpreting 24‑hour urineFluid intake and urine volume targetsDietary sodium, protein, and oxalate advicePharmacologic prevention by stone typeLesson 5Acute management: analgesia ladder (NSAIDs vs opioids), antiemetics, medical expulsive therapy evidence and limitsImmediate kidney stone pain care: NSAID painkillers first, careful opioids, anti-sickness, fluids, stone-pushing drugs proof/limits, watch vs admit.
Analgesia ladder and NSAID first strategyOpioid indications and safety concernsAntiemetics and fluid managementMedical expulsive therapy evidenceDisposition, follow‑up, and return precautionsLesson 6Evidence sources: major guidelines and reviews for suspected kidney stones (names and years to search)Main guidelines/reviews on kidney stones, groups, years, smart search/appraisal for test/treatment choices.
Major urology and nephrology guidelinesEmergency medicine stone care guidelinesHigh‑impact systematic reviews and yearsSearching PubMed and guideline portalsAppraising guideline strength and gapsLesson 7Initial diagnostics: urinalysis for hematuria/infection, urine microscopy, serum electrolytes, renal function, inflammatory markersStarting lab work for stones: urine for blood/infection, micro view, blood salts/kidney/inflammation, reading for diagnosis/risk.
Urinalysis for hematuria and infectionUrine microscopy for crystals and castsSerum creatinine and estimated GFRElectrolytes, calcium, and uric acidInflammatory markers and sepsis cluesLesson 8Indications for emergent urology referral: obstruction with infection, refractory pain, impaired renal function, anuriaUrgent urology calls: blocked infected kidney, unstoppable pain/vomiting, one kidney failure, no urine, pregnancy/kids notes.
Obstruction with sepsis or high feverRefractory pain or intractable vomitingAcute kidney injury and solitary kidneyAnuria, bilateral obstruction, pregnancyPediatric and complex comorbidity casesLesson 9Imaging strategy: when to use non-contrast CT KUB, ultrasound in pregnancy, plain radiography limitations, contrast indicationsScan plans for stones: no-contrast CT main, pregnancy/kids ultrasound, X-ray limits, contrast for complications.
Non‑contrast CT KUB indicationsUltrasound in pregnancy and youthStrengths and limits of plain radiographyWhen to use contrast CT or urographyRadiation exposure and dose reductionLesson 10Stone pathophysiology and types: calcium, uric acid, struvite, cystine — formation mechanisms and metabolic risk factorsStone types/make: calcium, uric acid, infection struvite, cystine—crystal start, urine overload, bug links, body/anatomy risks.
Calcium oxalate and calcium phosphate stonesUric acid stone formation mechanismsStruvite stones and urease‑producing bacteriaCystine stones and inherited disordersMetabolic, urinary, and anatomic risk factorsLesson 11Typical clinical presentation: colic characteristics, hematuria, nausea/vomiting, pain radiation to groin/scrotum/labiaClassic stone pain: gripping waves, blood in urine, sick/vomit, spreads to groin/privates; odd signs, dangers for other serious issues.
Pain onset, severity, and colicky patternRadiation to flank, groin, and genitaliaHematuria and lower urinary symptomsNausea, vomiting, and autonomic signsRed flags for alternative diagnoses
