The Problem of Stone Formation in the Upper Urinary Tract

Abstract

Based on the study of 3,219 cases of first admissions to the Urology Department of Wilhelminen Hospital of Vienna, Austria, the problem of stone formation in the upper urinary tract has been statistically investigated. Taking into account the size of the basic populations, it is found that there are about twice as many stone-carrier males than there are females. The left and the right side are stricken with equal frequency, simultaneous bilateral stones are found in only about 15% of thelithiasis cases. Further, whereas for females the incidence of stone formation remains constant from age 20 upwards (the 50–59 age group excepted), for males there is linear increase until about 40–49, after which it remains constant until 69. After this age, there is a significant decrease again. Correlation coefficients between renal lithiasis on the one hand and biliary lithiasis, peptic ulcers and diabetes mellitus on the other are all negligibly small. It is inferred that in the aetiology of stone formation in the upper urinary tract, the conditions prevailing at the site of stone-formation are of greater importance than general metabolic disturbances. It is suggested that more attention be paid to the study of the local conditions.