What problem do the cystine stones cause?
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). What happens with a 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. What is the effect of urinary obstruction on the kidney? 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. What are the signs and symptoms of cystinuria? The stones that form in cystinuria are directly
