Urology treats urinary tract diseases in all genders and male reproductive issues, covering the kidneys, bladder, prostate, urethra, from infections to complex cancers.
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Doctors decide to use ureteroscopy based on certain symptoms and risk factors that suggest a problem in the upper urinary tract. At Liv Hospital, careful diagnosis starts with understanding these signs. Ureteroscopy is mainly used for stones, cancer, and narrowing of the ureter, which can cause anything from severe pain to very mild or hidden symptoms. Spotting these signs and matching them to each patient’s risks is key to good treatment.
The most dramatic and common symptom leading to ureteroscopy is Renal Colic. This pain is distinct and diagnostic. It arises when a stone obstructs the flow of urine, leading to distension of the renal pelvis and stretching of the renal capsule. The renal capsule is richly innervated with pain receptors. When pushed, it triggers a visceral pain response that originates in the costovertebral angle (the flank) and radiates anteriorly and inferiorly along the course of the genitofemoral nerve toward the groin, testicle, or labia. This pain is characteristically fluctuating (“colicky”), mirroring the peristaltic waves of the ureter as it attempts to expel the obstruction. Unlike somatic pain (muscle or bone pain), renal colic causes restlessness; patients pace, writhe, and cannot find a comfortable position.
While pain is the primary driver, the disruption of urinary dynamics presents a broader symptom complex:
A major risk is the ‘silent stone.’ Not all blockages cause pain. Slow-growing stones or tumors can make the kidney swell without causing obvious symptoms. Patients might just feel tired or have a mild backache. Over time, this can lead to kidney damage without warning. That’s why people with a history of stones need regular check-ups, even if they feel fine.
The main cause of kidney stones, and the most common reason for ureteroscopy, is linked to a person’s metabolism and diet.
Ureteroscopy is also the main way to diagnose and treat UTUC. The risk factors for this cancer are different:
Ureteroscopy is also the main way to diagnose and treat UTUC. The risk factors for this cancer are different:
Send us all your questions or requests, and our expert team will assist you.
The pain radiates along common nerve pathways shared by the urinary tract and the genital region. The ureter and the kidney are innervated by fibers arising from the T10 to L2 spinal segments. The skin of the groin and genitals shares these dermatomes. As a stone travels down the ureter, the brain interprets the visceral pain signals as originating from the corresponding somatic areas (scrotum, labia, inner thigh), a phenomenon known as “referred pain.”
Yes, many kidney stones are asymptomatic, particularly when they are non-obstructing and located in the kidney’s calyces. These are often called “silent stones.” However, they can still be dangerous. They may grow silently, harbor chronic infection, or eventually move into the ureter to cause acute obstruction. Silent stones are often treated ureteroscopically to prevent future emergencies, especially in pilots or frequent travelers.
Metabolic syndrome, which includes obesity, high blood pressure, and diabetes, changes the chemistry of urine. Insulin resistance makes it harder for the kidneys to produce ammonia, so the urine becomes more acidic. This acidic urine causes uric acid stones to form quickly. People with metabolic syndrome often need ureteroscopy for repeated uric acid stones.
Hematuria is a warning sign because it is the main symptom of both kidney stones and urinary tract cancers. Stones cause bleeding by scratching the lining, while tumors bleed because they are fragile. Any unexplained blood in the urine should be checked, often with ureteroscopy, to rule out cancer—even if a stone is found, since both can happen together.
Yes, family history is a strong risk factor. If a parent or sibling has had kidney stones, you are 2-3 times more likely to get them too. This is because of both inherited traits and shared habits like diet and how much water you drink.
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