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What to Do About Asymptomatic Calculi

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Abstract

When an acute kidney stone event occurs, the decision to intervene is clear. However, when a stone has never yielded symptoms, no clear consensus on management exists. Some guidelines recommend the removal of larger stones, as they are less likely to pass spontaneously. However the question remains as to the risk of that asymptomatic stone ever becoming an issue.

This chapter highlights the differing nature of “asymptomatic stones” and considerations for therapeutic intervention. We also highlight special populations that may benefit from earlier intervention, in attempts to avoid the catastrophic sequelae of an acute episode.

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Correspondence to Shubha De MD, FRCPC .

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© 2015 Springer International Publishing Switzerland

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De, S., Sivalingam, S. (2015). What to Do About Asymptomatic Calculi. In: Monga, M., Penniston, K., Goldfarb, D. (eds) Pocket Guide to Kidney Stone Prevention. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11098-1_15

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-11098-1_15

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-11097-4

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-11098-1

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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