Renal colic

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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Steven C. Campbell, M.D., Ph.D.Soumya Sachdeva

Overview

Renal colic is a type of pain commonly caused by kidney stones or accumulation of crystals. These kidney stones cause interference with the flow of urine and the kidney may swell up causing pain (colic).

The pain typically begins in the kidney area or below it and radiates through the flank until it reaches the bladder. The pain is colicky in nature, meaning that it comes on in spasmodic waves as opposed to being a steady continuous pain. It may come in two varieties: dull and acute; the acute variation is particularly unpleasant and has been described as one of the strongest pain sensations felt by humans.[2]

Depending on the type and sizes of the kidney stones moving through the urinal tract the pain may be stronger in the renal or bladder area or equally strong in both.

Causes

Common Causes

• Chronic interstitial nephritis
• Cystinuria
• Endometriosis
• Nephrocalcinosis
• Nephrolithiasis
• Oxalosis
• Probenecid
• Urinary blockage

Causes by Organ System

Cardiovascular	Renal artery embolism
Chemical/Poisoning	No underlying causes
Dental	No underlying causes
Dermatologic	No underlying causes
Drug Side Effect	Probenecid
Ear Nose Throat	No underlying causes
Endocrine	No underlying causes
Environmental	No underlying causes
Gastroenterologic	Chilaiditi syndrome, Wilson's disease
Genetic	No underlying causes
Hematologic	Papillary necrosis
Iatrogenic	No underlying causes
Infectious Disease	No underlying causes
Musculoskeletal/Orthopedic	No underlying causes
Neurologic	No underlying causes
Nutritional/Metabolic	No underlying causes
Obstetric/Gynecologic	Endometriosis, Müllerianosis
Oncologic	No underlying causes
Ophthalmologic	No underlying causes
Overdose/Toxicity	No underlying causes
Psychiatric	No underlying causes
Pulmonary	No underlying causes
Renal/Electrolyte	Analgesic nephropathy syndrome, Chronic interstitial nephritis, Cystinuria, Danubian endemic familial nephropathy, Hydatiduria, Medullary sponge kidney, Nephrocalcinosis, Nephrolithiasis, Oxalosis, Papillary necrosis, Pyelocalyceal diverticulum, Renal artery embolism, The primary hyperoxalurias, Urinary blockage
Rheumatology/Immunology/Allergy	No underlying causes
Sexual	No underlying causes
Trauma	No underlying causes
Urologic	No underlying causes
Miscellaneous	No underlying causes

Causes in Alphabetical Order

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3

Treatment and Prognosis

Most small stones are passed spontaneously and only pain management is required. For this type of pain, strong Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) such as Diclofenac provide better pain relief than opiates. Lying down on the non-aching side and applying a hot bottle or towel to the area affected may help. If the pain is not too intense, a more speedy release of the stones may be achieved by walking.

Larger stones may require intervention for their removal.

See Also

• Kidney stones