Kidney Stones in Thane — RGMC Kalwa

Rajiv Gandhi Medical College provides a clinical environment that most standalone specialist clinics cannot match — advanced imaging, on-site laboratory services, and operation theatre access all within the same campus. HRG Urology leverages this infrastructure to deliver a kidney stone service that can handle everything from a straightforward 4mm ureteric stone to a complex bilateral staghorn calculus requiring staged PCNL. Mr. Harshawardhan Godbole FRCS, who has published research on laparoscopic urology in peer-reviewed international journals including BJU International and the International Journal of Clinical Practice, leads the HRG Urology team at this Kalwa campus. His research background translates directly into clinical practice — treatment decisions at Rajiv Gandhi MC are grounded in the same evidence base used at London's top urology units.

### Managing Infected Kidney Stones — A Critical Distinction

Patients presenting with fever, loin pain, and a stone on imaging represent a urological emergency. An infected obstructed kidney requires immediate drainage — either by ureteric stenting or percutaneous nephrostomy — before definitive stone treatment can proceed. At Rajiv Gandhi Medical College, the full infrastructure for emergency urological management is available, making this an important safety net for the Kalwa and Mumbra communities where access to emergency specialist care has historically been limited.

### Stone Prevention in the Thane East Population

Patients from industrial communities in Kalwa, Mumbra, and Diva often have occupational factors — heat exposure, dehydration, and high-protein diets — that drive kidney stone formation. HRG Urology's metabolic stone prevention programme addresses these factors directly with personalised hydration targets, dietary modification, and urine alkalinisation therapy for uric acid stone formers.

Why choose RGMC Kalwa for kidney stones?

• Rajiv Gandhi Medical College campus in Kalwa is accessible by local train from Diva, Mumbra, and Thane East stations — a 5–10 minute journey that gives patients from these areas a specialist urology option they can reach without private transport or navigating Thane's congested road network.
• The medical college infrastructure at this Kalwa campus enables same-site CT KUB imaging, urine culture, blood testing, and if needed, emergency urological procedures — a complete kidney stone management pathway within a single institutional setting.
• Patients from the historically underserved Mumbra, Diva, and Airoli communities now have access to the same quality of consultant-grade kidney stone care available in Thane West, without the 30–45 minute road journey across the city.

Kidney Stones cost at RGMC Kalwa

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 RGMC Kalwa

Frequently asked questions