Conditions
Stones lodged in the ureter cause colic and can obstruct the kidney. Treatment goals are symptom control, infection surveillance, and definitive fragmentation or extraction.
Most distal and many mid-ureteric stones are treated with semi-rigid ureteroscopy and holmium laser lithotripsy. The Urology NSW kidney stone page summarises guideline support for alpha-blocker medical expulsive therapy in selected distal stones up to about 10 mm as an alternative to immediate surgery when pain and infection are absent and the kidney functions normally.
ESWL can be suitable for selected ureteric stones depending on size, impaction, and local anatomy. If shockwave treatment does not progress the stone, conversion to ureteroscopy is standard.
Fever with an obstructing ureteric stone requires urgent decompression with a stent or nephrostomy before definitive lithotripsy, as emphasised on the Urology NSW page.
The rooms can arrange a consultation to review imaging and outline which form of lithotripsy, if any, fits your situation.