Urolithiasis presenting as right flank pain: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Urolithiasis refers to renal or ureteral calculi referred to in lay terminology as a kidney stone. Utolithiasis is a potential emergency often resulting in acute abdominal, low back, flank or groin pain. Chiropractors may encounter patients when they are in acute pain or after they have recovered from the acute phase and should be knowledgeable about the signs, symptoms, potential complications and appropriate recommendations for management.

CASE PRESENTATION: A 52 year old male with acute right flank pain presented to the emergency department. A ureteric calculus with associated hydronephrosis was identified and he was prescribed pain medications and discharged to pass the stone naturally. One day later, he returned to the emergency department with severe pain and was referred to urology. He was managed with a temporary ureteric stent and antibiotics.

CONCLUSION: This case describes a patient with acute right flank and lower quadrant pain which was diagnosed as an obstructing ureteric calculus. Acute management and preventive strategies in patients with visceral pathology such as renal calculi must be considered in patients with severe back and flank pain as it can progress to hydronephrosis and kidney failure.