Kidney stones form when minerals crystallize within the urinary tract and can cause severe flank pain, blood in the urine, nausea, or urinary symptoms.

Management depends on stone size, location, symptoms, and the presence of obstruction or infection.

Options include observation, medications to facilitate passage, shockwave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy with laser lithotripsy, and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for larger or complex stones.