title: Clinical effectiveness in the diagnosis and acute management of pediatric nephrolithiasis.
abstract: The incidence of pediatric nephrolithiasis has risen over the past few decades leading to a growing public health burden. Children and adolescents represent a unique patient population secondary to their higher risks from radiation exposure as compared to adults, high risk of recurrence, and longer follow up time given their longer life expectancies. Ultrasound imaging is the first-line modality for diagnosing suspected nephrolithiasis in children. Although data is limited, the best evidence based medicine supports the use of alpha-blockers as first-line MET in children, especially when stones are small and in a more distal ureteral location. Surgical management of pediatric nephrolithiasis is similar to that in adults with ESWL and URS first-line for smaller stones and PCNL reserved for larger renal stone burden. Clinical effectiveness in minimizing risks in children and adolescents with nephrolithiasis centers around ED pathways that limit CT imaging, strict guidance to ALARA principles or use of US during surgical procedures, and education of both patients and families on the risks of repeat ionizing radiation exposures during follow up and acute colic events.
authors.affiliation: Division of Urology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, USA. Electronic address: vanbatavij@email.chop.edu.
authors.forename: Jason P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Van Batavia
authors.affiliation: Division of Urology and Epidemiology, Center for Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, USA; Division of Urology and Center for Pediatric Clinical Effectiveness, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, USA.
authors.forename: Gregory E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Tasian
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D019468:Disease Management; D019220:High-Energy Shock Waves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D053040:Nephrolithiasis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy*
keywords: Diagnostic imaging; Nephrolithiasis; Pediatrics; Urinary stone disease; Urology