5. FOLLOW-UP OF URINARY STONES
There is no consensus in the urological literature on whether, when, how, and how often stone patients should be followed up after definitive treatment (extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy, percutaneous nephrolithotripsy, medical chemoprophylaxis). This is mainly attributed to the high heterogeneity of stone disease among patients and to the lack of comparative studies regarding follow-up versus no follow-up.
The EAU Urolithiasis Guidelines Panel performed a systematic review questioning the benefits and harms of scheduled imaging and metabolic follow-up for patients who underwent definitive treatment for upper urinary tract stone disease [411]. Based on the results a consensus was reached regarding the frequency of the follow-up for stone-free patients (the general population and the high-risk patients), patients with residual fragments ≤ 4 mm, and patients with residual fragments > 4 mm (Figures 5.1 and 5.2).
Stone-free patients could be discharged after two years (radiopaque stones) or after three years (radiolucent stones) as 80% of them will remain stone-free thereafter. Increasing the safety margin for remaining stone-free up to 90%, the patients should be followed up to five years. Most stone-free patients in the general population remained stone-free during the first year, while < 40% of patients with metabolic abnormalities not on medication remained stone-free after three years of follow-up. Therefore, a more extensive follow-up is proposed for patients with metabolic abnormalities.
Patients with fragments ≤ 4 mm showed a spontaneous expulsion rate of 17.9-46.5% during the first year. At 49 months of follow-up disease progression rate was 9-34%, the intervention rate 17-29%, and the spontaneous passage rate 21-34%.
Patients with residual stone fragments > 4 mm had only 9% of spontaneous expulsion at three years. These patients should be offered further definitive treatment since intervention rates are high (24-100%). For those on follow-up close surveillance is needed.
Insufficient data exist for high-risk patients, but current literature dictates that patients who are adherent to targeted medical treatment seem to experience less stone growth or re-growth of residual fragments and may be discharged after 36-48 months of non-progressive disease on imaging (Figure 5.1).
Proposed imaging consists of plain X-ray KUB and/or US, based on stone characteristics and clinicians’ preferences. Computed tomography scan should be reserved for symptomatic disease or pre-operative imaging, to avoid extensive radiation exposure [411].
The information on stone composition can be used to counsel patients to set expectations and help plan the need for follow up and medical stone management [700].
Figure 5.1: Follow-up duration of Urinary stone patients after treatment.
* Not enough data about subgroup analysis of radiolucent and radiopaque stones.
**According to patient preference or symptomatic disease.
***Patients with diagnosed metabolic abnormalities.
****Lifelong follow-up is advised but data are available for up to ten years.
Figure 5.2: Consensus on follow-up frequency and imaging modality to use after treatment
Stone free = No stone fragments on postoperative imaging (i.e. no stone fragments on CT/KUB/US).High-Risk = Known biochemical abnormality (i.e.: hypercalciuria, hypocitraturia, hyperuricosuria, RTA, or high-risk stone type such as struvite [See table 3.6]).
Imaging = plain film KUB &/or kidney ultrasonography (KUS) based on clinicians’ preference and stone characteristics. Consider CT if the patient is symptomatic or if intervention is planned.
* Clinicians may choose the imaging-only pathway in patients with fragments ≤ 2 mm.
a Treatment monitoring for side effects, intolerance, and compliance.
+ Panel recommends reintervention however close follow up may be considered for some patients at high risk for reintervention based on clinicians’ preference.