Kidney Stones & Endourology
Assessment and treatment pathways for kidney and ureteric stones, including ureteroscopy, laser stone surgery, PCNL and investigation of recurrent stone disease.
An infected and obstructed urinary system can require emergency treatment. Do not wait for a routine outpatient appointment if you are acutely unwell or unable to pass urine.
What can we help with?
Kidney stones vary in size, location and complexity. Select the pathway that best matches your diagnosis or the treatment you are considering.
Kidney Stones
Understand kidney stone symptoms, investigation, imaging and the different treatment pathways that may be considered.
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Ureteric Stones
Stones passing from the kidney toward the bladder can cause renal colic, obstruction and urinary symptoms. Management depends on the stone and your clinical circumstances.
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Ureteroscopy, Pyeloscopy & Laser Surgery
Endoscopic treatment of selected ureteric and kidney stones using fine instruments passed through the urinary tract.
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PCNL
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy is a keyhole approach through the back into the kidney and may be considered for larger or more complex kidney stone burdens.
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Large & Complex Kidney Stones
Assessment of larger stone burdens, multiple stones, staghorn calculi and stones requiring more complex procedural planning.
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Recurrent Stones & Prevention
Investigation after recurrent stone episodes may include stone analysis, blood tests and urine assessment to help identify potentially modifiable risk factors.
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Modern approaches to urinary stone treatment
Endourology refers to procedures performed within the urinary tract or through small-access techniques rather than conventional open stone surgery.
The appropriate approach depends on factors such as the location and size of the stone, total stone burden, urinary obstruction, infection, kidney anatomy, previous treatment and individual circumstances.
- Ureteroscopy for ureteric stones
- Flexible pyeloscopy for selected kidney stones
- Laser stone fragmentation
- PCNL for larger or complex renal stones
- Ureteric stent placement when clinically appropriate
- Investigation and prevention of recurrent stones
Your kidney stone pathway
Treatment is selected after understanding the stone itself and the effect it is having on the urinary system.
Understand the problem
Review symptoms, previous stone episodes, infections, medical history and any previous procedures.
Review investigations
Imaging, urine testing, kidney function and other investigations are reviewed or arranged where appropriate.
Choose a pathway
Observation or active treatment can then be discussed according to the stone, symptoms, risks and individual priorities.
Reduce future risk
Patients with recurrent or higher-risk stone disease may benefit from further investigation and an individual prevention strategy.
Common kidney stone questions
These focused pages can help answer practical questions before or after kidney stone treatment.
Kidney stone assessment in Brisbane
Dr Jack Crozier is a Brisbane urologist whose practice includes endourology and kidney stone surgery. Assessment considers the stone size and location, symptoms, urinary obstruction, infection risk, kidney function, previous stone treatment and the patient's individual circumstances.
Where treatment is appropriate, the aim is to select a pathway suited to the particular stone rather than assuming that every kidney stone requires the same procedure.
Book an AppointmentKidney Stones & Endourology FAQ
Does every kidney stone need surgery?
No. Some stones can be observed or may pass without a procedure. Whether active treatment is appropriate depends on factors such as symptoms, stone size and location, obstruction, infection, stone growth and individual circumstances.
What is ureteroscopy?
Ureteroscopy involves passing a fine telescope through the urinary tract to examine and treat stones within the ureter. Flexible instruments can also be used to access selected stones within the kidney.
What is pyeloscopy?
Flexible pyeloscopy describes endoscopic examination and treatment within the kidney collecting system. It is commonly performed as part of flexible ureteroscopy for selected kidney stones.
What is PCNL?
Percutaneous nephrolithotomy, or PCNL, accesses the kidney through a small tract created through the back. It is an important treatment option for selected patients with larger or more complex kidney stone burdens.
Will I need a ureteric stent?
Not every stone procedure requires a stent. A stent may be used when temporary internal drainage of the kidney and ureter is considered helpful. The reason for insertion and planned removal should be discussed for the individual procedure.
Why do my kidney stones keep coming back?
Recurrent stones can be influenced by fluid intake, diet, urinary chemistry, stone composition, medical conditions, medications, anatomy and other factors. Further assessment can help identify which factors are relevant in an individual patient.
What should I bring to a kidney stone appointment?
If available, bring previous CT scans or other imaging, radiology reports, urine and blood test results, details of previous stone procedures and any previous stone-analysis or 24-hour urine results.
When is a kidney stone an emergency?
Kidney or ureteric obstruction associated with infection can require urgent treatment. Severe pain accompanied by fever, chills, significant illness or an inability to pass urine should not wait for a routine outpatient appointment.
Not sure which kidney stone treatment applies to you?
You do not need to determine the treatment yourself before arranging an assessment. Existing imaging and investigations can be reviewed to help establish an appropriate next step.
This information is general educational information and does not replace individual medical advice. Investigation and treatment recommendations depend on the stone characteristics, symptoms, kidney function, infection risk, previous treatment and individual clinical circumstances.