1. INTRODUCTION
1.1. Aims and scope
The European Association of Urology (EAU) Urolithiasis Guidelines Panel has prepared these guidelines to help urologists assess evidence-based management of stones/calculi in the urinary tract and incorporate recommendations into clinical practice. This document covers most aspects of the disease, which is still a cause of significant morbidity despite technological and scientific advances. The Panel is aware of the geographical variations in healthcare provision. In addition, information on the management of bladder stones is now also included in these guidelines.
It must be emphasised that clinical guidelines present the best evidence available to the experts but following guideline recommendations will not necessarily result in the best outcome. Guidelines can never replace clinical expertise when making treatment decisions for individual patients but rather help to focus decisions - also taking personal values and preferences/individual circumstances of patients into account. Guidelines are not mandates and do not purport to be a legal standard of care.
1.2. Panel composition
The EAU Urolithiasis Guidelines Panel consists of an international group of clinicians with expertise in this area. All experts involved in the production of this document have submitted potential conflict of interest which can be viewed on the EAU website Uroweb: http://uroweb.org/guideline/urolithiasis/.
1.3. Available publications
A quick reference document (Pocket guidelines) is available in print. This is an abridged version which may require consultation together with the full text version. Several scientific publications are available [1-3], as are a number of translations of all versions of the EAU Urolithiasis Guidelines. All documents are accessible through the EAU website Uroweb: http://www.uroweb.org/guideline/urolithiasis/. A EAU Guidelines App for iOS and Android devices is also available containing the Pocket Guidelines, interactive algorithms and calculators, clinical decision support tools, guidelines cheat sheets and links to extended guidelines.
1.4. Publication history and summary of changes
1.4.1. Publication history
The EAU Guidelines on Urolithiasis were first published in 2000. Standard procedure for EAU Guidelines includes an annual assessment of newly published literature in the field to guide future updates. This 2024 Urolithiasis Guidelines present a limited update of the 2023 publication. The 2025 edition of the Urolithiasis Guidelines is a limited text update in which a new section on genetic factors and testing has been added. The Urolithiasis Guideline will be updated in full for 2026.
1.4.2. Summary of changes
Section 3.1.4 , a new section on Genetic factors and testing have been added.