Vol. 42 (2): 183-184, March – April, 2016

doi: 10.1590/S1677-5538.IBJU.2016.02.03

DIFFERENCE OF OPINION

Asymptomatic lower pole stone < 1 cm: to treat or not to treat?
Opinion: Treat

Eduardo Mazzuchi
Divisão de Urologia do Hospital das Clínicas da Universidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Medicina de
São Paulo, Brasil

Keywords: Urinary Calculi; Kidney Calculi; Hydronephrosis

The prevalence of urinary stones is increasing and reached 8.8% in the United States in 2010 (1). We do not have statistics on this issue in developing countries but the impression is that this is a worldwide tendency thanks to an increase in obesity and to our modern lifestyle. The proportion of asymptomatic renal stones is also increasing probably due to the more frequent use of image methods. According to the literature 20 to 44% of renal stones are located in the lower pole and to treat them or not and how to do that has been motive of debate (2, 3). The importance of this issue is capital once almost every day we are asked to see a completely asymptomatic and surprised patient with an ultrasound done for any other reason showing a small solitary caliceal lower pole stone.

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