Caliceal calculi

Primary nonobstructive caliceal calculi were removed by nephrostolithotomy in 51 patients. Among the patients with caliceal stones indications for removal included pain in 36 (71 per cent), associated infection in 11 (21 per cent), progressive stone growth in 2 (4 per cent), hematuria in 1 (2 per cent) and flight status eligibility in 1 (2 per cent). Over-all, 300 patients have undergone percutaneous removal of upper urinary tract calculi, with a 97 per cent success rate. Successful removal was completed percutaneously in 49 patients (96 per cent). One patient remains asymptomatic with retained caliceal fragments and surgical stone removal was required in 1 additional patient. Complications occurred in 4 patients (8 per cent). One patient underwent transcatheter embolization of an intralobar artery to control renal bleeding. Three patients required placement of an internal Double-J ureteral stent to permit resolution of ureteral edema. Following recovery 34 of 36 patients (95 per cent) reported complete resolution of the preoperative pain for which the calculus was removed. Two patients had persistent urinary infection. The remaining patients reported no residual complaints. These observations suggest that pain and discomfort occasionally may be associated with nonobstructive caliceal calculi. Removal of caliceal calculi may permit resolution of associated discomfort in more than 90 per cent of all carefully selected patients.