Kidney stones are small, pebble-like masses that form in the kidney or urinary tract. Stones form when minerals in the urine (such as calcium) become solid (crystallize). Kidney stones can cause pain or block the flow of urine.

The Duke Comprehensive Kidney Stone Center is unique because we approach kidney stones as a disease process. Our rapid-access program provides metabolic evaluation to reduce stone occurrence and expert, state-of-the-art care for patients with kidney stone disease.

Once a patient’s stone is treated, our comprehensive urinary tract stone management program addresses lifestyle modifications and dietary changes that will help him or her prevent future stone episodes.

Preventing Recurrent Kidney Stones

For patients with increased risk of recurrent kidney stones or those who are interested in a proactive approach to avoid stone formation, we offer a comprehensive medical evaluation. This type of evaluation helps determine the specific cause of that patient’s kidney stones.

Following the evaluation we counsel patients on preventive treatment options, which often include more specific, individually focused dietary changes or medications. Repeat evaluations help ensure that preventative strategies are working and allows us to modify them to optimize patient outcomes.

Read more about recurrent kidney stone prevention.

We offer a range of minimally invasive surgical options for the treatment of kidney stones, including:

• Extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)
• Percutaneous stone removal (PNL) (nephrolithotomy)
• Ureteroscopy (URS)
• Laser stone fragmentation
• Percutaneous ultrasonic stone fragmentation

Dr. Michael Lipkin, MD, of Duke Raleigh Hospital, shares with WRAL the causes and treatment of kidney stones.

Physicians

Physicians offering this service include:

• Ferrandino, Michael N.
  • Surgery / Urology
• Lipkin, Michael E.
  • Surgery / Urology
• Preminger, Glenn M.
  • Surgery / Urology

Locations

This service is available at:

• Duke Urology
  Duke Clinic 1G, 40 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC 27710