Renal Colic
ICD-10 N23 · ICD-11 MF56

Renal Colic with a 5–10 mm Distal Ureteral Stone: When Initial Medical Therapy Has Not Achieved Stone Passage

Clinical Scenario

This protocol addresses patients with renal colic caused by a distal ureteral stone measuring 5 to 10 mm in diameter — a size range where spontaneous passage is uncertain and a structured management pathway is required.

Previous Therapy Did Not Succeed

First-line management for distal ureteral stones 5 to 10 mm includes ketorolac for pain relief together with medical expulsive therapy using tamsulosin or doxazosin. When spontaneous stone passage within 4 to 6 weeks is not achieved, or when adequate pain reduction is not reached, escalation to a further management step is indicated.

Next Step

Once conservative measures have failed to result in stone passage, the pathway moves to a specialist-directed intervention. The complete structured regimen — including the specific approach and decision criteria — is available in the full protocol.

Treatment Goal

Kidney stone removal confirmed on imaging.

Instant Access to Structured Evidence-Based Regimens

References

These medications should be offered to patients with distal ureteral stones 5 to 10 mm in diameter.

If the stone does not pass spontaneously, the patient should be referred to a urologist for active stone removal.

View source ↗