Kidney Stones in Thane — Nest Hospital

Kidney stones develop when the urine becomes concentrated with minerals — calcium, oxalate, or uric acid — that crystallise and bind together inside the kidney collecting system. The resulting stones can range from a grain of sand to a staghorn calculus occupying the entire renal pelvis. What makes kidney stones particularly challenging is their unpredictability: a stone that sits silently for months may suddenly migrate into the ureter, triggering the excruciating flank-to-groin pain known as renal colic. Mr. Harshawardhan Godbole MS, MCh, FRCS — Cancer Lead at North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust and a consultant surgeon since 2004 — manages kidney stones using the same evidence-based protocols applied at his London NHS and private practice. At Nest Hospital, this means patients in Naupada and Thane West receive internationally trained care without leaving their locality.

### Diagnostic Approach

CT KUB (computed tomography of the kidneys, ureters, and bladder) is the gold standard imaging tool for kidney stone assessment. It maps the stone's precise size, position, and density — information that directly determines the best treatment route. Urinalysis and blood tests for renal function are arranged simultaneously. Patients presenting with fever alongside stone pain are assessed urgently, as infection proximal to an obstructing stone constitutes a urological emergency requiring immediate decompression.

### Treatment Options Available at Nest Hospital

Small stones under 5mm are managed conservatively with high fluid intake and analgesia, with close outpatient monitoring. Stones between 5mm and 20mm in the kidney or upper ureter are well-suited to ESWL — non-invasive shock wave lithotripsy that fragments the stone without any incision. Ureteric stones, particularly those in the lower ureter causing obstruction, are treated by ureteroscopy with holmium laser lithotripsy: a minimally invasive telescope technique through which the stone is visualised and fragmented under direct vision. For larger or complex stones — including staghorn calculi — PCNL (percutaneous nephrolithotomy) is performed through a small flank puncture. Furthermore, all patients receive personalised dietary and metabolic advice to reduce the risk of stone recurrence.

Why choose Nest Hospital for kidney stones?

• Nest Hospital sits directly behind the State Bank of India branch in Naupada — one of Thane West's most recognisable landmarks — making it easy to locate for patients arriving by auto-rickshaw or local bus from Kopri, Wagle Estate, and Vartak Nagar without requiring prior familiarity with the area.
• The clinic serves a dense residential catchment covering Thane West, Naupada, Majiwada, and the Ghodbunder Road belt — many patients who previously travelled to Mulund or Thane station-side hospitals now choose Nest Hospital because specialist urology care is available at their doorstep.
• HRG Urology at Nest Hospital offers the complete kidney stone treatment pathway — from CT KUB and urine culture to ESWL, laser ureteroscopy, and PCNL — at a single Naupada location, removing the need for patients to coordinate between different facilities across Thane.

Kidney Stones cost at Nest Hospital

Urinary stones (calculi)

The majority of kidney stones consist of calcium and oxalate. While dietary factors play a role, underlying metabolic disorders may also contribute. Less commonly, stones may be composed of uric acid. Clinical symptoms typically appear when stones move or cause obstruction. Pain is the predominant symptom, often accompanied by fever, chills, and rigors. Some stones grow without causing symptoms, potentially leading to significant kidney damage and serious health consequences. Timely investigation, precise diagnosis, and appropriate treatment are vital to prevent complications. However, not every stone requires active intervention. A comprehensive approach to stone management is essential, with personalised treatment plans tailored to each patient's specific circumstances.

Risk factors for kidney stones

• Elevated BMI
• Excessive animal protein consumption
• Inadequate fluid intake
• Iatrogenic causes including bariatric surgery
• Familial predisposition

Acute presentation of kidney stones

Kidney stones commonly present as an emergency with the following symptoms:

• Severe colicky (gripping) pain
• Pain typically radiating from the loin to the groin
• Possible blood in the urine
• General malaise with fever, chills, and rigors
• Urinary frequency and urgency with a burning sensation

Management of urinary stones

Effective stone management requires accurate diagnosis combined with a holistic assessment of the patient to determine the most appropriate treatment. The stone's size, shape, location, and position are critical factors, while the presence or absence of obstruction determines the clinical urgency. Treatment options range from non-invasive to minimally invasive approaches:

• Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy (ESWL)
• Ureteroscopy with Laser Lithotripsy (URS/RIRS)
• Percutaneous Nephrolithotomy (PCNL)
• Laparoscopic stone surgery

Coming in for your kidney stones appointment

Patient reviews — kidney stones at Nest Hospital

Frequently asked questions