title: [Asymptomatic kidney stones: active surveillance vs. treatment].
abstract: The prevalence of kidney stones is increasing worldwide. Asymptomatic non-obstructing kidney stones are increasingly detected as an incidental finding on radiologic imaging, which has been performed more frequently over the last decades. Beside the current interventional treatment modalities such as extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL), ureterorenoscopy (URS) and percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PNL), active surveillance of asymptomatic kidney stones has been a focus of discussion lately, not only for attending physicians, but even more so for patients. The current German and European guidelines recommend active surveillance for patients with asymptomatic kidney stones if no interventional therapy is mandatory because of pain or medical factors. Herein we review the current literature on risks and benefits of active surveillance of asymptomatic non-obstructing kidney stones.
authors.affiliation: Urologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsmedizin Mainz, Mainz.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Neisius
authors.affiliation: Urologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsmedizin Mainz, Mainz.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thomas
authors.affiliation: Urologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsmedizin Mainz, Mainz.
authors.forename: F C
authors.initials: FC
authors.lastname: Roos
authors.affiliation: Urologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsmedizin Mainz, Mainz.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Hampel
authors.affiliation: Klinik und Poliklinik für Urologie der Universität Regensburg am Caritaskrankenhaus St. Josef, Regensburg.
authors.forename: H-M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Fritsche
authors.affiliation: Urologische Klinik, Asklepios Klinik Harburg, Hamburg.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bach
authors.affiliation: Urologische Klinik und Poliklinik, Universitätsmedizin Mainz, Mainz.
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Thüroff
authors.affiliation: Urologische Klinik Sindelfingen, Lehrkrankenhaus der Universität Tübingen, Sindelfingen.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Knoll
mesh_terms: D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D033162:Incidental Findings; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D008096:Lithotripsy; D009403:Nephrostomy, Percutaneous; D018666:Ureteroscopy; D057832:Watchful Waiting