Kidney stones are hard mineral deposits that can form in the urinary tract and cause severe pain or obstruction.
Typical symptoms include sharp pain in the back, side, lower abdomen, or groin, blood in the urine, nausea, vomiting, and sometimes difficulty passing urine.
Imaging helps confirm whether a stone is present, where it is located, whether it is blocking urine flow, and whether there are complications such as swelling of the kidney.
CT is often the best test to detect stones quickly, while ultrasound may be used in selected patients or follow-up settings.
Small stones may pass on their own, while larger or obstructing stones may need medicines or urologic procedures.
This entry explains the condition. The next step is having a radiologist interpret your specific scan, not a general definition.
