Endourology and Stone Disease
Conditions we treat within this category include:
- Kidney stones
Endourology (stone disease) is a minimally invasive technique in which small telescopes and lasers are used to treat tumors, strictures, or congenital anomalies of the bladder, ureter, and kidney.
A kidney stone, also called nephrolithiasis, is a small, hard mineral and uric acid salt deposit that forms inside your kidneys and may affect any part of your urinary tract. When passed, kidney stones can cause severe pain. Most kidney stones may be treated without surgery, but in cases of persistent pain or infection, it may be necessary to remove the urinary obstruction.
Research
Ongoing research aims to analyze optimal surgical equipment, techniques, and protocols for the treatment of stone disease . Quality improvement initiatives are underway to identify demographic and clinical variables associated with kidney stone formation and recurrence to develop interventions to reduce stone events in patients. Dr. Amy Krambeck is conducting research on the management of stone disease during pregnancy and has dedicated her efforts to improve treatment options for women.
In this video, Dr. Krambeck discusses imaging evaluation of pregnant patients who might have stones, treatment options for urolithiasis during pregnancy, and her research of the changes that occur in the urine composition of pregnant stone formers. Watch here>>
Amy E. Krambeck, MD, chief of the Division of Endourology and Stone Disease, and professor of Urology at Northwestern Medicine, introduces the new multidisciplinary Northwestern Medicine Metabolic Stone Clinic. To address the needs and improve the outcomes of patients with kidney stone disease, the clinic brings together a team of expert specialists in a variety of fields, including urology, nephrology, radiology, genetics, nutrition and OB-GYN. Watch here>>
Selected Publications
Ambulatory PCNL may be cost-effective compared to Standard PCNL. Lee MS, Assmus MA, Agarwal D, Rivera ME, Large T, Krambeck A.J Endourol. 2021 Oct 19.
Comparison of cost-effectiveness and postoperative outcomes following integration of a stiff shaft glidewire into percutaneous nephrolithotripsy. Valadon C, Abedali ZA, Nottingham CU, Large T, Krambeck AE. Ther Adv Urol. 2021 Aug.
Brinkman JE, Large T, Nottingham CU, Stoughton C, Krambeck AE. Clinical and Metabolic Correlates of Pure Stone Subtypes. J Endourol. 2021 May 20.
GeoBioMed sheds new light on human kidney stone crystallization and dissolution. Sivaguru M, Lieske JC, Krambeck AE, Fouke BW.Nat Rev Urol. 2020 Jan.
Patient Care
Our physicians are dedicated to the thorough evaluation and minimally invasive treatment of stones, tumors, and congenital anomalies of the kidney, ureter, and bladder. The latest minimally invasive techniques are used to treat stones in the upper and lower urinary tract; these techniques include extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) using two state of the art lithotripters.
Specialty Chief
Chief of Endourology and Stone Disease in the Department of Urology
Professor of Urology