Emergency room management of ureteral calculi: current practices.

Objective: To evaluate current practice patterns in U.S. emergency departments (EDs) for the diagnosis, treatment, and counseling of patients with ureteral calculi.

Systematic evaluation of ureteral occlusion devices: insertion, deployment, stone migration, and extraction.

Objectives: To compare 4 ureteral occlusion devices in terms of insertion force, maneuverability, radial dilation and extraction forces, ability to prevent stone migration, and tip stiffness.

Methods: The devices tested were the PercSys Accordion, Microvasive Stone Cone (7 and 10 mm), and Cook N-Trap. Using a ureteral model with an artificial stone in place, the insertion force, number of attempts, and time to pass the impacted stone were measured.

Ayurvedic medicine and renal calculi.

Objective: To explore the supportive evidence for the use of Ayurvedic medicine in the management of existing and recurrent nephrolithiasis.

Method: Nine Ayurvedic medicines commonly utilized in the management of nephrolithiasis were identified by discussions with Ayurvedic practitioners in India. Mechanistic and clinical studies evaluating the use of these agents were identified using the Medline database and bibliographies suggested by Ayurvedic practitioners.