Characterizing patients with multiple same-sided ureteric stones.

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Nephrology
• Stone Disease Management

Background:

• Multiple same-sided ureteric stones (MSSUS) represent a distinct patient group with unique treatment considerations.
• Limited literature characterizes the prognostic factors and outcomes for patients with MSSUS.

Purpose of the Study:

• To compare the clinical outcomes of patients with MSSUS to those with single ureteric stones (SUS).
• To elucidate differences in stone burden, treatment strategies, and resolution times between MSSUS and SUS cohorts.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective review of prospectively collected data from adult patients (≥18 years) with ≥2 ipsilateral ureteral stones.
• Comparison with a historical control group of patients with single ureteric stones.
• Statistical analysis using univariate logistic regression and descriptive statistics (SPSS® 20.0).

Main Results:

• MSSUS patients (n=79) had smaller lead stones (6.4 mm vs. 7.2 mm) and a higher likelihood of prior stones (66% vs. 42%) and procedures (5.9 times more likely).
• Conservative management success rates were similar (30% MSSUS vs. 19% SUS), with no significant difference in resolution time.
• Ureteroscopy was frequently used for both groups (58% MSSUS vs. 51% SUS), while shockwave lithotripsy was less common in MSSUS patients (10% vs. 26%).
• MSSUS patients showed a significantly higher likelihood of spontaneous stone passage before intervention (OR=41.1).

Conclusions:

• Patients with MSSUS are frequently recurrent stone formers with complex stone histories.
• Conservative management and resolution times are comparable between MSSUS and SUS patients.
• Ureteroscopy outcomes do not differ significantly between the two groups when intervention is pursued.