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Tests and diagnosis

By Mayo Clinic staff

Tests used to make a diagnosis of bladder stones may include:

  • A physical exam. Your doctor will likely feel your lower abdomen to see if your bladder is distended and, in some cases, perform a rectal exam to determine whether your prostate is enlarged. You may also discuss any urinary signs or symptoms that you've been having.
  • Analysis of your urine (urinalysis). A sample of your urine may be collected and examined for microscopic amounts of blood, bacteria and crystallized minerals. A urinalysis is also helpful for determining whether you have a urinary tract infection, which can cause or be the result of bladder stones.
  • Spiral computerized tomography (CT) scan. A conventional CT scan combines multiple X-rays with computer technology to create cross-sectional images of your body rather than the overlapping images produced by regular X-rays. A spiral CT speeds up this process, scanning more quickly and with greater definition of internal structures. Spiral CTs can detect even very small stones and are considered one of the most sensitive tests for identifying all types of bladder stones.
  • Ultrasound. An ultrasound, which bounces sound waves off organs and structures in your body to create pictures, can help your doctor detect bladder stones.
  • X-ray. An X-ray of your kidneys, ureters and bladder helps your doctor determine whether stones are present in your urinary system. This is an inexpensive and easy test to obtain, but some types of stones aren't visible on conventional X-rays.
  • Special imaging of your urinary tract (intravenous pyelogram). An intravenous pyelogram is a test that uses a contrast material to highlight organs in your urinary tract. The material is injected into a vein in your arm and flows into your kidneys, ureters and bladder, outlining each of these organs. X-ray pictures are taken at specific time points during the procedure to check for stones. More recently, helical CT scans are generally done instead of an intravenous pyelogram.
Treatments and drugs Preparing for your appointment
References
  1. Stoller ML. Urinary stone disease. In: Tanagho EA, et al. Smith's General Urology. 17th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2008. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=3127288. Accessed Dec. 18, 2010.
  2. Urinary calculi. The Merck Manuals: The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals. http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/sec17/ch230/ch230a.html. Accessed Dec. 18, 2010.
  3. Ban KM, et al. Selected urologic problems. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/about.do?about=true&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..X0001-1--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0&uniqId=230100505-57. Accessed Dec. 19, 2010.
  4. Manthey DE, et al. Urologic stone disease. In: Tintinalli JE, et al. Tintinalli's Emergency Medicine: A Comprehensive Study Guide. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill Medical; 2011. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=6362783. Accessed Dec. 18, 2010.
  5. Pearle MS, et al. Urologic diseases in America: Urolithiasis. National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/statistics/uda/Urolithiasis-Chapter08.pdf. Accessed Dec. 18, 2010.
  6. Nicoletta JA. Medical evaluation and treatment of urolithiasis. Pediatric Clinics of North America. 2006;53:479.
  7. Gravel root. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Dec. 18, 2010.
  8. Stone root. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Dec. 18, 2010.
  9. Hydrangea. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://www.naturaldatabase.com. Accessed Dec. 18, 2010.
  10. Watkins RW. Urolithiasis (kidney and bladder stones). In: Rakel D. Integrative Medicine. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2954-0..50063-6&isbn=978-1-4160-2954-0&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2954-0..50063-6&uniqId=230284724-3#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-2954-0..50063-6. Accessed Dec. 18, 2010.
  11. Castle EP (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Scottsdale/Phoenix, Ariz. Dec. 28, 2010.
DS00904 Jan. 15, 2011

© 1998-2013 Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research (MFMER). All rights reserved. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only. "Mayo," "Mayo Clinic," "MayoClinic.com," "EmbodyHealth," "Enhance your life," and the triple-shield Mayo Clinic logo are trademarks of Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

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