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What is Ureterolithiasis (Ureteral Stones)?

Ureterolithiasis is the presence of a stone within the ureter, the tube that carries urine from the kidney to the bladder. Ureteral stones usually form in the kidney and move into the ureter, where they may lodge and partially or completely block urine flow. Stones vary in size and composition, and their likelihood of passing naturally depends largely on their size and location. Small stones may pass without a procedure, while larger or obstructing stones may require active treatment.

What is the Importance of Timely Treatment?

Timely evaluation helps determine the stone's size, location, degree of obstruction, kidney function, and whether infection is present. While many uncomplicated small ureteral stones can be observed, persistent obstruction, uncontrolled pain, impaired kidney function, or infection may require prompt intervention. An obstructed urinary system with infection or sepsis is a urological emergency and requires urgent drainage, usually with a ureteral stent or percutaneous nephrostomy, followed by definitive stone treatment after the infection resolves.

What are the Common Symptoms of Ureterolithiasis (Ureteral Stones)?

  • Sudden, severe pain in the side or back
  • Pain radiating toward the lower abdomen, groin, or genital area
  • Pain that comes and goes in waves
  • Blood in the urine
  • Pain or burning during urination
  • Increased urinary frequency or urgency
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Difficulty passing urine or passing only a small amount
  • Cloudy or foul-smelling urine, particularly with infection
  • Fever and chills when infection is present
  • Restlessness or inability to find a comfortable position

Causes and Risk Factors of Ureterolithiasis (Ureteral Stones)

Causes

  • High concentrations of stone-forming substances in urine, including calcium, oxalate, uric acid, or phosphate
  • Low urine volume and dehydration
  • Calcium oxalate or calcium phosphate stone formation
  • Uric acid stones
  • Infection-related struvite stones
  • Cystine stones associated with inherited disorders
  • Metabolic abnormalities affecting urinary mineral balance
  • Certain medications or supplements
  • Conditions that increase urinary calcium, oxalate, uric acid, or other stone-forming substances

Risk Factors

  • Previous kidney or ureteral stones
  • Family history of kidney stones
  • Inadequate fluid intake or recurrent dehydration
  • Hot climates or occupations involving substantial fluid loss
  • High dietary sodium intake
  • High intake of animal protein in susceptible individuals
  • Certain dietary patterns with excessive oxalate or inadequate dietary calcium
  • Obesity and metabolic disorders
  • Gout or hyperuricemia
  • Recurrent urinary tract infections
  • Hyperparathyroidism and other metabolic conditions
  • Certain gastrointestinal diseases or intestinal surgery
  • Genetic disorders such as cystinuria

Latest Research and Technologies in the Treatment of Ureterolithiasis (Ureteral Stones) in Thailand

  • Current stone management emphasises accurate assessment of stone size, location, obstruction, infection, and kidney function before selecting treatment. Advances in ureteroscopy include digital and flexible ureteroscopes, as well as laser technologies such as holmium and thulium fibre lasers. These allow stones to be fragmented or removed under direct visualisation. Shock-wave lithotripsy (SWL) remains an established non-invasive option for appropriately selected stones, with treatment success influenced by stone size, location, composition, and patient factors.

Treatment options for Ureterolithiasis (Ureteral Stones)

Extracorporeal Shock-Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL) : ESWL uses externally generated shock waves to fragment a ureteral stone into smaller pieces that can subsequently pass through the urinary tract. Suitability depends on stone size, location, composition, patient anatomy, and the ability to accurately target the stone.


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Ureteroscopy (URS): During ureteroscopy, a thin endoscope is passed through the urinary tract to reach the stone. The stone can be removed directly or fragmented using laser lithotripsy, including holmium or thulium fibre laser technology.

  • Clinical assessment:
    • Medical and Urological Evaluation: Assessment includes the onset, location, severity, and pattern of pain; urinary symptoms; fever or chills; previous stone episodes; family history; dietary and fluid habits; medications; previous urinary procedures; and relevant metabolic or medical conditions.
    • Urine Assessment: Urinalysis can identify blood, white blood cells, bacteria, crystals, and other abnormalities. A urine culture may be performed when a urinary infection is suspected, particularly before an intervention.
    • Blood and Kidney Function Assessment: Blood tests may include serum creatinine and other kidney function measures, along with blood counts and metabolic tests when clinically appropriate.
    • Stone Analysis and Metabolic Assessment: When a stone is recovered, laboratory analysis can determine its composition and help guide preventive treatment.
    • Assessment of Obstruction and Infection: Clinicians assess whether the stone causes urinary obstruction, hydronephrosis, infection, persistent pain, or worsening kidney function.
  • Imaging Tests:
    • Ultrasound: May identify stones, hydronephrosis, and urinary tract dilation without radiation exposure.
    • Non-Contrast CT: Provides detailed information about stone size, location, number, and urinary tract obstruction and is widely used when precise diagnosis is required.
    • X-ray KUB: May detect radiopaque stones and can be useful for selected follow-up examinations.
    • CT Urography: Consider in selected cases when additional anatomical or urinary tract information is needed.
    • Intravenous Urography: Used less frequently today but may have a role in selected settings.
    • Nuclear Renal Imaging: Consider in selected patients when differential kidney function or drainage needs assessment.

MediRehab (a chain of Rehab centres, part of MediGence) provides comprehensive tele-rehabilitation services to support patients with Ureterolithiasis (Ureteral Stones) in Thailand. These Services include:

  • Gradual Return to Activity: Most patients can gradually resume normal physical activity as pain and acute symptoms improve, as advised by their doctor.
  • Post-Procedural Recovery: Patients undergoing ureteroscopy or SWL may receive guidance regarding activity, hydration, stent-related symptoms, and follow-up imaging.
  • Medicines may control pain, nausea, infection, or facilitate stone passage in selected patients. Analgesics, particularly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs when medically appropriate, are commonly used for renal colic. Antibiotics are used when a bacterial urinary infection is diagnosed or strongly suspected and are especially important when obstruction and infection occur together. Doctors may prescribe preventive medicines such as potassium citrate or other stone-specific therapies after evaluating stone composition and metabolic risk factors.

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Hospitals for Ureterolithiasis (Ureteral Stones) in Thailand

Piyavate Hospital: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Piyavate Hospital

Bangkok, Thailand

Piyavate Hospital located in Bangkok, Thailand is accredited by JCI. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:

  • Medicine Centre: Piyavate Hospital provides advanced holistic treatment for their patients. They offer a complete range of services and physicians that specialize in various fields like the endocrine system, the nervous system, kidney function, cardiovascular care, respiratory and digestive system. They pride themselves for the familial care that they provide to their patients.

  • Fertility and In-Vitro Fertilization Centre: Helping the couples who walk into the Piyavate Hospital to achieve their dream of having a family. They have a medical team that specializes in male and female fertility. They offer consultation services, fertility check-up for both men and women and complete IVF services. They have advanced IVF cycle treatment facilities that offer a high rate of success.

  • Bone and Joint Institute: Piyavate Hospital houses one of the frontrunners in Orthopaedic health care in all of SouthEast Asia. They offer a wide range of services and surgeries in their bone and joint institute that include hand surgery, hip and knee replacement surgery, spinal cord surgery, upper extremity surgery, arthroscopic surgery and sports medicine.

  • Eye and Lasik Centre: Piyavate Hospital is fully equipped with the latest and most advanced technology for eye care and houses highly skilled ophthalmologists, sub-specialists and qualified nurses.

  • Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Centre: One of the first hospitals to be equipped with the Hybrid Assistive Limb technology that will help a neurologically challenged patient to control the rehabilitation robot limb with a signal from their brain. The Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Centre at Piyavate Hospital uses this system encourage patients to regain muscle memory to walk and function normally.

Amenities for Patient’s Family:

Piyavate Hospital also offers additional apartment facilities to house the kin of the patients who come to visit them from distant places. A restaurant, a flower shop and a café are a few of the other amenities provided by the hospital.

These are the most popular services offered by the Piyavate Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. They also provide a plethora of other medical services that are listed below:

  • Diabetic Foot Centre

  • Check-up centre

  • Urology Centre 

  • Heart Institute

  • Paediatric Centre 

  • Obstetrics and Gynaecology Centre

  • Surgery Centre

  • Ear Nose Throat Centre

  • Haemodialysis Centre 

  • Dental Centre

  • X-Ray Centre

  • Gastroenterology Centre

  • Cancer Centre

  • Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU)

  • Emergency Services and Centre

  • Tele-medicine

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Bangpakok 9 International Hospital: Top Doctors, and Reviews
Bangpakok 9 International Hospital

Bangkok, Thailand

Bangpakok 9 International Hospital located in Bangkok, Thailand is accredited by JCI. Also listed below are some of the most prominent infrastructural details:

  • It would be prudent to summarise the Medical Services provided at the Bangpakok 9 International Hospital (BPK 9), Bangkok, Thailand:
  • Cosmetic Dentistry
  • Dental Implants
  • Electrocardiogram (EKG or ECG)
  • Exercise Stress Test
  • Health Screening
  • Laser Vagina Firming
  • Pediatric Physical Therapy
  • Perfect Slim by Vela II
  • Physical Therapy for Musculoskeletal
  • Prosthodontics
  • The Medical Services are also inclusive of the International Patient Services such as the ones listed here:
  • Thai, English, French, Arabic, Chinese, Myanmar, Cambodia, Bangladeshi, Bahasa and Tagalog are the languages in which there are Translation services available for International Patients.
  • Visa extension related assistance
  • International health insurance related assistance
  • Embassy and international organizations related assistance
  • A variety of meals of choice for International Patients
  • Email consultation services
  • Transfer to either airport and/or hotels
  • Prayer room
  • Four different types of rooms are available such as Deluxe room, two kinds of suites, and a VIP suite.
  • Hospital facilities like The Coffee shop, Food Hall, Cafe and Medical Spa.
  • Complete health and safety protocols are maintained in the various Medical Centers some of whom are as follows:
  • Aesthetic Center
  • 24 Hour Emergency Center
  • Allergy Center
  • Breast Center
  • bSmart Center
  • Checkup Center
  • Dental Center,
  • Happy Long Life Center
  • Medical Fitness Center
  • Psychiatric Center
  • Rehabilitation Center
  • Sleep Disorders Center
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Why Choose Thailand for Ureterolithiasis (Ureteral Stones) Treatment?

  • Experienced Urology Specialists: Thai urology centres manage a broad range of urinary stone conditions, including ureteral stones, recurrent stone disease, obstructing stones, and complex cases.
  • Advanced Diagnostic Facilities: Many hospitals provide ultrasound, CT imaging, laboratory testing, stone analysis, metabolic evaluation, and other investigations needed to determine stone size, location, composition, and obstruction.
  • Minimally Invasive Stone Treatment: Depending on the patient's condition, treatment may include ureteroscopy, laser lithotripsy, shock-wave lithotripsy, and ureteral stenting.
  • Comprehensive Urological Care: Patients with recurrent or complicated stones can receive coordinated care involving urologists, radiologists, nephrologists, dietitians, and other specialists, as needed.
  • International Patient Support: Thai hospitals may provide medical-record review, specialist coordination, treatment scheduling, travel assistance, accommodation support, and follow-up arrangements for international patients.

Frequently Asked Questions

Recovery varies according to stone size, location, treatment, and whether complications are present. A small stone that passes naturally may require limited recovery time, while ureteroscopy or SWL may require several days to weeks for complete recovery and follow-up. Patients with infection, significant obstruction, or complex stones may require a longer treatment course.

Yes. Most people can walk and remain physically active if their pain and symptoms are controlled. During an acute episode of severe renal colic, activity may be uncomfortable. After a stone procedure, resume activity gradually, following your treating urologist's advice.

Many advanced Thai hospitals provide modern stone-management facilities, including CT and ultrasound imaging, ureteroscopy, digital and flexible endoscopy, laser lithotripsy, shock-wave lithotripsy, ureteral stenting, and metabolic evaluation. Available technologies vary between hospitals.

Many major Thai hospitals have international-patient departments that can assist with medical records, specialist appointments, treatment coordination, travel arrangements, accommodation, interpretation, and follow-up care. The services available vary between hospitals.

Consider the urologist's experience with ureteral stone treatment, availability of CT and other diagnostic facilities, access to ureteroscopy and laser lithotripsy, SWL availability, emergency management of obstructed infected stones, stone analysis and metabolic services, and postoperative follow-up facilities.

No single success rate exists for ureterolithiasis treatment because outcomes vary by stone size, location, composition, degree of obstruction, kidney function, treatment method, and patient characteristics. Ureteroscopy generally offers a higher likelihood of stone-free status after one procedure than SWL, although it is more invasive and carries different risks.

Urologists in Thailand routinely manage ureteral stones using conservative treatment, medical expulsive therapy, ureteroscopy, laser lithotripsy, shock-wave lithotripsy, and ureteral stenting. For complex or recurrent stones, choose a specialist experienced in endourology and stone disease.

Risks depend on the treatment used. Potential complications include pain, bleeding, urinary tract infection, ureteral injury, ureteral stricture, residual stone fragments, recurrent stones, stent-related discomfort, and the need for additional procedures. Some comparative evidence suggests ureteroscopy has a higher complication burden than SWL, while SWL may require repeat treatment depending on stone characteristics.

Ureterolithiasis is a stone condition, not an injury. Seek urgent medical care if you have fever or chills with suspected stones, severe or persistent pain, repeated vomiting, difficulty passing urine or markedly reduced urine output. Infection combined with urinary obstruction is a medical emergency.

Ureteral stones do not typically cause physical deformities. However, prolonged obstruction or repeated complicated episodes can damage the urinary tract or reduce kidney function. Prompt assessment and treatment of significant obstruction help reduce the risk of lasting complications.

Yes. Severe pain, urinary symptoms, emergency visits, missed work, disrupted sleep and recurrent stones can affect daily life. Appropriate treatment and a prevention plan based on the stone type and individual risk factors can help reduce the impact of future episodes.

Some small stones pass without causing lasting damage. However, a stone that remains in place can cause hydronephrosis and worsen kidney function. Infection combined with obstruction can be especially dangerous. Persistent pain, infection, worsening kidney function or failure of a stone to pass may require active treatment.

Prevention depends on the stone type and individual risk factors. General measures may include drinking enough fluid to produce an adequate urine volume, limiting excessive dietary sodium, maintaining a healthy weight and following dietary advice tailored to the stone composition. Normal dietary calcium is generally important; unnecessary calcium restriction may increase risk in some people.

Risk is higher in people with previous stones or a family history, recurrent dehydration, high urinary concentrations of stone-forming substances, obesity, gout, hyperparathyroidism, certain gastrointestinal conditions or inherited disorders such as cystinuria. Diet, medications, climate, and occupation can also influence risk.

Author

Dr. Shagufta Parveen
Dr. Shagufta Parveen

Doctor of Pharmacy

3 Years of Experience

Dr. Shagufta Parveen is a Clinical researcher and medical writer with expertise in clinical pharmacology and pharmacotherapeutics. She holds a B.Pharm and Doctor of Pharmacy (Post-Baccalaureate) degree from Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad.

During her clinical stint at BLK-Max Super Speciality Hospital and Indraprastha Apollo Hospital, she gained hands-on experience in the Clinical Pharmacology Department. Combining scientific knowledge with strong medical writing skills, Dr. Shagufta develops evidence-based healthcare content, treatment guides, and patient education resources.

Her work focuses on simplifying complex medical concepts while maintaining scientific accuracy, helping readers better understand healthcare advancements and treatment options.

In addition to her writing expertise, she is actively involved in scientific research and has contributed to peer-reviewed publications.

Her research work is accessible through the following links:

https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=lMVK1eIAAAAJ&hl=en

https://carcinogenesis.com/index.php/JOC/article/view/870

https://carcinogenesis.com/index.php/JOC/article/view/868

https://wjpsronline.com/abstract/0000000760

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