Struvite stones: Diagnosis and current treatment concepts

Effective management of struvite calculi requires a comprehensive approach to eliminate the stone burden and prevent stone recurrence. These stones oc cur more frequently in women, infants, and the elderly, as these patients a re at greater risk for urinary tract infections, All patients should have r outine laboratory testing as well as an excretory urogram, Appropriate urin e cultures should be completed. Definitive management should promptly follo w diagnosis. Percutaneous nephrolithotomy with or without SWL is the usual treatment. Appropriate antibiotic use is helpful; magnesium and phosphorus restriction and administration of urease inhibitors are less valuable.