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Updated: Jun 2, 2026

Estimation of Urinary Nanocrystals in Humans using Calcium Fluorophore Labeling and Nanoparticle Tracking Analysis
Published on: February 9, 2021
Kidney stones
Ranan Dasgupta1, Jonathan Glass, Jonathon Olsburgh
1Imperial College Healthcare Trust, London, UK.
Introduction:
The age of peak incidence for stone disease is 20 to 40 years, although stones are seen in all age groups. There is a male to female ratio of 3:2.
Methods And Outcomes:
We conducted a systematic review and aimed to answer the following clinical questions: What are the effects of interventions for stone removal in people with asymptomatic kidney stones? What are the effects of interventions for the removal of symptomatic renal stones? What are the effects of interventions to remove symptomatic ureteric stones? What are the effects of interventions for the management of acute renal colic? We searched: Medline, Embase, The Cochrane Library, and other important databases up to May 2008 (Clinical Evidence reviews are updated periodically; please check our website for the most up-to-date version of this review). We included harms alerts from relevant organisations such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
Results:
We found 21 systematic reviews, RCTs, or observational studies that met our inclusion criteria. We performed a GRADE evaluation of the quality of evidence for interventions.
Conclusions:
In this systematic review, we present information relating to the effectiveness and safety of the following interventions: antispasmodic drugs; extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy; intravenous fluids; non-steroidal anti-infammatory drugs (NSAIDs); opioids; oral fluids; percutaneous nephrolithotomy; and ureteroscopy.
Insights
This systematic review evaluates interventions for kidney and ureteric stones. It found 21 studies on treatments like lithotripsy and medications, assessing their effectiveness and safety for stone removal and renal colic management.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Nephrology
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Kidney stone disease affects all ages, with peak incidence between 20-40 years.
- A male predominance is observed, with a 3:2 male to female ratio.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review interventions for asymptomatic and symptomatic kidney stones.
- To evaluate treatments for symptomatic ureteric stones.
- To assess interventions for acute renal colic management.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of 21 studies including systematic reviews, RCTs, and observational studies.
- Searched major databases (Medline, Embase, Cochrane Library) up to May 2008.
- Included harms data from FDA and MHRA.
Main Results:
- Evaluated evidence quality using GRADE methodology.
- Included studies on various interventions for stone removal and pain management.
Conclusions:
- Presents information on the effectiveness and safety of antispasmodic drugs, extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy, intravenous fluids, NSAIDs, opioids, oral fluids, percutaneous nephrolithotomy, and ureteroscopy.
- Provides a comprehensive overview of current interventions for kidney and ureteric stones.
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Kidney Structure

