Nephrolithiasis during pregnancy can represent a clinical dilemma because of potential risks to both mother and fetus. While the incidence of symptomatic nephrolithiasis during pregnancy varies between 1 in 244 to 1 in 2000 pregnancies, the actual incidence is likely to be higher. A significant proportion of patients with asymptomatic renal calculi are detected incidentally in the nonpregnant population compared with pregnant women. Factors that contribute to the diagnostic challenges include anatomic and physiologic changes to the female urinary tract during pregnancy and the limitations on the use of ionizing radiation. The treatment of such patients requires a multidisciplinary team approach involving the urologist, obstetrician, and radiologist. The potential hazards of intervention (either surgical or medical) and anesthesia need to be considered carefully.

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Current terminology is a source of confusion to both patients and members of the immediate medical care team, with nurses unable to correctly identify medical doctors. Our study indicates that a review of terminology is necessary to ensure patients, and staff, are able to communicate effectively.

Previously considered to be a benign finding on scrotal ultrasonography, testicular microlithiasis (TM) is now recognized as a condition associated with the development of testicular neoplasia. Despite this the management of TM remains unclear. We review the evidence for this association and suggested management strategies.

The European WorkingTime Regulations have curtailed the hours that non-consultant hospital doctors work. Specialties with significant emergency operative workloads such as general surgery mandate senior non-consultant cover in hospital on a shift basis to satisfy service provision. As a surgical specialty, urology enjoys a lower emergency operative rate and hence service demands are dealt with via the traditional non-resident system. However, emergency admissions remain frequent and advice is often sought by telephone from junior colleagues on acute clinical presentations. Additionally, professions allied to medicine working in the hospital environment such as laboratory personnel may require advice from registrars to aid in result interpretation.