When a stone is removed, it is sent to a pathology lab for examination to determine its composition. The composition of the stone can give indications as to the cause . No matter what causes the stone, most patients will be told to drink more water in order to increase the likelihood that sediments will be washed out of the kidneys before they turn into stones. It is important to determine the makeup of stones so that those patients whose stones do have treatable causes can be properly cared for. My pathology report won't be available for a few more weeks.
Some patients require further surgical treatment for hyperparathyroid glands.
I am still amazed that such a small thing can cause such big problems and be so very difficult to locate. The urologist explained that the location of the stone and the way it absorbs dye can make it difficult to see on an x-ray if it is not completely blocking the ureter, which was my situation. This very common problem still requires more research before we will really understand its causes and the best treatment options. The Urinary System Kidney stones form in the urinary system. The kidneys filter the blood.