Kidney stone problems

Kidney stone problems are often accompanied by severe flank pain on the right or left side. They may also be accompanied by urinary symptoms. The urologist will ask you about these symptoms at the first appointment. With your specific symptoms in mind, you will look at your medical imaging (usually a CT scan) together. Depending on the specific characteristics of your kidney stones (size, hardness, location) and the presumed relation they have with your specific symptoms, an individualised treatment plan will be prepared.

Most patients can be treated on an outpatient basis or on a day treatment basis given that we offer high-tech treatments that are either non-invasive or minimally invasive. Occasionally, a more involved surgery is necessary, but even such a procedure only requires a brief hospitalisation. Long hospitalisations can be avoided, which also keeps the recovery period short. In addition, a non-surgical treatment is often proposed. If a kidney stone can be passed through the urine, then a procedure is not necessary and potential risks are avoided (e.g. complications like infections).

Starting from your initial consultation, you will meet the urologist who will remain actively involved with your problem. The radiologist will have reviewed your CT scan.

During the active treatment phase, a fragment of the kidney stone will be dispatched to a specialised laboratory in Brussels. A specialist will analyse your kidney stone.

For many patients, a comprehensive urine and blood analysis will be carried out at the completion of this active phase of treatment. Based on these analyses and that of the kidney stone, in close cooperation with the internist nephrologist and specialised dietitian, we will investigate the underlying causes of your kidney stones.

The Urology Department has the latest technology for the treatment of kidney stones: an external renal stone crusher is available as well as laser technology that surgically breaks apart stones. We also have the expertise to treat complex or larger stones using advanced percutaneous surgical techniques or minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery. Because this specialised equipment and the necessary expertise are available on site, treatment can usually be carried out quickly: the discomfort and pain associated with a temporary double-J stent (pending the kidney stone treatment) can be reduced.

• Urology
• Nephrology
• Dietitian