Cystinuria (cont.)

Small stones are passed in the urine. However, big stones remain in the kidney (nephrolithiasis) impairing the outflow of urine while medium size stones make their way from the kidney into the ureter and lodge there further blocking the flow of urine (urinary obstruction).

Obstruction of the urinary tract puts pressure back up on the ureter and kidney. It causes the ureter to widen (dilate) and the kidney to become compressed.

Obstruction of the urinary tract also causes the urine to be stagnant (not moving). Stagnant urine is an open invitation to repeated urinary tract infections.

The pressure on the kidneys and the urinary infections result in damage to the kidneys. The damage can progress to renal insufficiency and end-stage kidney disease which require renal dialysis or a kidney transplant.

The stones that form in cystinuria are directly or indirectly responsible for all of the signs and symptoms of the disease, including:

• Hematuria - blood in the urine;
• Flank pain - pain in the side, due to kidney pain;
• Renal colic - intense, cramping pain due to stones in the urinary tract;
• Obstructive uropathy - urinary tract disease due to obstruction; and
• Urinary tract infections.

Because of the potential effectiveness of treatment, early diagnosis of cystinuria is important in all persons, regardless of age, who form urinary stones. Failure to diagnose cystinuria early and treat it consistently with the utmost vigor can result in morbidity (illness) and mortality (death). Survival may depend upon dialysis or a kidney transplant.

Source: MedicineNet.com
http://www.medicinenet.com/cystinuria/article.htm