Ureteral Wall Thickness Measurement and Spontaneous Stone Passage A Narrative Review

There is a high number of acute renal colic cases that present to the emergency department, and it is crucial to have reliable parameters that can accurately predict the likelihood of spontaneous stone passage. In this narrative review, we examined the latest data from the literature regarding the relationship between ureteral wall thickness and the probability of spontaneous stone passage.

The thickness of a normal ureteral wall ranges between 0.95 and 2 mm, with an increase in thickness observed with advancing age. Current data suggests that thinner ureteral wall thickness may favor the spontaneous stone passage. However, the discrepancy between data from the literature is mainly caused by the small study cohorts, heterogeneous protocols, and the intra- and interobserver variability in evaluating non-contrast computed tomography results. There remains a need to better understand the mechanisms behind stone expulsion, as current models rely on oversimplified assumptions about the ureter's biomechanical properties.