Kidney Stone Pathophysiology, Evaluation and Management: Core Curriculum 2023
Kidney stone disease, also known as nephrolithiasis or urolithiasis, is a disorder in which urinary solutes precipitate to form aggregates of crystalline material in the urinary space. The incidence of nephrolithiasis has been increasing, and the demographics have been evolving. Once viewed as a limited disease with intermittent exacerbations that are simply managed by urologists, nephrolithiasis is now recognized as a complex condition requiring thorough evaluation and multifaceted care. Kidney stones are frequently manifestations of underlying systemic medical conditions such as the metabolic syndrome, genetic disorders, or endocrinopathies.