Kidney stone (calculus)
Read Your Scan Editorial Team·Last updated
Written from published radiology references and reviewed for plain language. Not written or signed by a physician, and not a diagnosis. How we write these pages →
In plain language
A small hard deposit in the kidney or urinary tract. The report notes size and location, which helps your doctor discuss whether it needs treatment.
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Where you'll see this
This wording turns up on Abdominal CT reports — CT imaging of the abdomen. An abdominal CT shows the liver, gallbladder, pancreas, spleen, kidneys, bowel, blood vessels, and lymph nodes in fine detail. Doctors order it for abdominal pain, to look into a suspected stone, infection, or blockage, or to check known findings. Because it is so detailed, it often notes small, harmless things by chance. The report describes what the images show; your doctor reads it together with your symptoms and other results.
Questions worth asking your doctor
- What was the main reason for this CT, and did it answer that question?
- Were any findings incidental, and do any of them need follow-up?
- If a stone or cyst was seen, does it need treatment or monitoring?
- Do the results change my current care or medications?
- Is there anything I can do about findings like fatty liver?
How common is this?
Kidney stones are a very common finding, affecting roughly 1 in 10 people at some point in their lifetime, and are frequently detected on abdominal CT even when the scan is done for a different reason. They are especially common in men, people with a history of dehydration, and those with certain dietary patterns.
When should I worry?
A small stone sitting quietly in the kidney without symptoms may not need immediate treatment. A stone causing severe flank or abdominal pain (renal colic), blood in the urine, signs of infection like fever and chills, or blocking the flow of urine needs prompt medical attention and often emergency evaluation.
What happens next
Small stones, generally under 5 mm, have a high chance of passing on their own with fluids, pain control, and sometimes a medication to relax the ureter. Larger stones or those causing obstruction or infection may need intervention, such as shock wave lithotripsy (breaking the stone with sound waves) or ureteroscopy (removing it with a small scope).
Frequently asked questions
- Will I need surgery for a kidney stone?
- Most small stones pass on their own. Larger stones or those causing complications may need a minimally invasive procedure, but open surgery is rarely needed today. Your urologist will recommend the best approach based on stone size, location, and your symptoms.
- How can I prevent more kidney stones?
- Drinking plenty of water to stay well-hydrated is the single most effective prevention strategy. Depending on the stone type, your doctor may also recommend dietary changes, such as reducing salt and animal protein, or specific medications. A stone analysis, if possible, guides targeted prevention.
- Is a kidney stone an emergency?
- A stone causing severe pain, fever, or signs of urinary obstruction should be evaluated urgently, often in the emergency department. A small, incidentally found stone without symptoms is not an emergency but is still worth mentioning to your doctor for monitoring and prevention advice.
Other words on the same report
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Read Your Scan is informational only — not a medical diagnosis, and not a substitute for a licensed radiologist or your doctor. If you have urgent symptoms, seek care.