What Does Calculus Less Than 5 Mm In Kidney Indicate?

Posted on Mon, 15 Dec 2014

Question: I recently had an annual checkup. The USG showed one 3-4mm calyx calculus in the right kidney and two 3mm in the left. The doc performing the USG said that they will pass if I drink sufficient water.

Is this the right approach here? Should I be concerned?

Thanks, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Yes, right approach

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
Yes, doctor was right.
Calculus or stone less <5 mm can pass into urine without any medication.
Yes, you should drink lots of water to pass out stone.

Anyways I would like to know few more details
Do you have any symptoms like Pain during urination, pain in abdomen?
Have you noticed any blood in urine?

Kindly get back to me with details.
According to your details I can give you further suggestions.

If you have any queries I will be happy to help you.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju (1 hour later)

Thanks Dr. Bhagyalaxmi for your quick reply.

The details you asked:
1. I haven't experienced any symptoms like pain during urination or in the abdomen. I was actually quite shocked when the doc told me about this.
2. I also haven't noticed any blood in my urine.

Also how will I know if I have passed the stones? Is USG the only way?
If yes, when should I get the next scan?

Thanks, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Watch out when you go for voiding

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Thanks for your follow up.

Stone < 5mm mostly pass out in urine within 3 days. sometimes it takes weeks time. 90% of small stones will pass out with out intervention.
Since you have not any symtoms you need not to worry much.
Whenever you go for urination just wathc out for stone. it looks like small grains of sand or small sugar crystal. If you passed the stone then if you want you can repeat scan after a week.
If you will not pass after one week then I suggest you visit you doctor again and doctor would prescribe medication like Cystone or alpha blcokers whick makes stone to pass out.

If you have any queries I will be happy to help you.
Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju (46 hours later)

Hello again..

I don't know if I have passed the stones.
I haven't paid much attention while voiding.

The scan was done more than a week ago.
What do you suggest I should do now?

thanks, XXXXXXX

Answered by Dr. Bhagyalaxmi Nalaparaju (17 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Observe for 3 days.

Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX

Observe for 3 more days while voiding.

If you have not noticed anything then repeat scan to know whether you have passed out the stone or not. If not doctor would prescribe medication.

However, since you do have any symptoms do not worry much about it, it will pass out.

Drink plenty of water.

Note: For further queries related to kidney problems and comprehensive renal care, talk to a Nephrologist. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar