Renal stone disease remains a common clinical problem. Patients m a y
attend either medical or surgical clinics and n o t infrequently present
as acute abdominal emergencies to general practitioners, physicians,
surgeons and even gynaecologists. Recent urinary calculi continue to
cause considerable morbidity despite the recent advances in our
understanding of the pathogenesis of the different types of stones
involved and despite improvements in t reatment- by appropriate drug
therapy, by ultrasound techniques and by lithotripsy. This volume
discusses the investigation and management o f patients with calculus
disease. Each chapterhas been written by a n experienced clinician and
provides information of considerable relevance and importance for all
doctors engaged in clinical practice. The technical developments o f the
last few years have clearly demonstrated that renal stone disease, even
when recurrent, should be an uncommon cause of chronic renal failure.
Knowledge o f the recent developments in this field is important for all
practising doctors and even more important for their patients.