Research digest

This week in kidney stone research

Every week we scan newly published literature on kidney stones and surface what bears on prevention. This is the raw candidate list, generated automatically. Nothing here has been editorially selected or clinically reviewed yet.


Strong designAsian J Urol 2026

Between a stone and a hard place-Mortality from conservative management of kidney stone disease: Systematic review of the literature from the European Association of Urology Section of Endourology.

The aim of this study was to provide information on the factors associated with mortality in conservative management of kidney stone disease (KSD). Secondary aims were to identify important risk factors and highlight key learning points to reduce mortality from conservatively managed KSD. A systematic literature review

Dassanayake SN, Harrison NL, Geraghty R et al. · PMID 42604105

Strong designWorld J Urol 2026

Percussion, diuresis, and inversion therapy can facilitate lower renal pole stone passage after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy and retrograde intrarenal surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Patients with lower pole stones (LPS) present a significant challenge for urologists because of the increased likelihood of residual fragments and recurrence following extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) and retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS). Although percussion, diuresis, and inversion (PDI) therapy has dem

Gimenez LGS, Marchini GS, Torricelli FCM et al. · PMID 42606615

Strong designCancers (Basel) 2026

Upper Tract Urothelial Carcinoma: Molecular Pathogenesis and Current Treatment Strategies-A Narrative Review.

Background: Upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) is a rare malignancy representing approximately 5-10% of all urothelial cancers. Key risk factors include smoking, chemical exposures, selected metabolic conditions, and hereditary cancer syndromes. This narrative review summarises current knowledge on UTUC molecular

Zawadzki D, Libergal N, Nowak J et al. · PMID 42588616

Asian J Urol 2026

From molecules to the clinic-pathophysiology of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors and their emerging role in urology: A comprehensive review from the European Association of Urology Section of Endourology.

This review aims to comprehensively evaluate the mechanisms of action of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2is), with a specific focus on their relevance to urological practice, including both potential benefits and risks. A systematic literature search was conducted in February 2025 using PubMed, Embase,

Talyshinskii A, Gauhar V, Kar Kei Yuen S et al. · PMID 42604279

J Wildl Dis 2026

Occurrence of Renal and Vaginal Calculi in Stranded Cetaceans on Cape Cod and in Southeastern Massachusetts, USA, 2006-2023.

Nephrolithiasis in cetaceans has been documented primarily in managed populations of bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus) with few described cases of nephroliths and vaginoliths in free-ranging cetacean species. Between 2006 and 2023, renal and/or vaginal calculi were identified on necropsy in 16 cetaceans that str

Hunter NE, Niemeyer ME, Lulich J et al. · PMID 42603712

Asian J Urol 2026

Rock-on or crumble: Do kidney stones pass the test of time? A European Association of Urology Section of Endourology study.

Kidney stone disease is a relapsing disease and preventive measures are therefore of great importance. A cornerstone for adequate treatment and prevention of kidney stone recurrence is stone analysis. This pilot study aimed to evaluate whether time and different ex vivo environments, such as liquid media or light expos

Henderickx MMEL, Stoots SJM, van den Elzen RM et al. · PMID 42604256

Cureus 2026

Study of Factors Affecting Ureteral Access Sheath Insertion in Retrograde Intrarenal Surgery.

Urolithiasis is a common urological disorder with a high recurrence rate and increasing global burden. Retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) is an established minimally invasive treatment for renal and upper ureteric calculi. The ureteral access sheath (UAS) facilitates repeated access, improves irrigation, reduces intr

Patil SB, Patil S, Kundargi VS et al. · PMID 42577927

BJU Int 2026

Trends in kidney stone disease: a 5-year update of stone management in England and Scotland.

To describe contemporary trends in kidney stone disease (KSD)-related inpatient episodes, procedures, and costs in England and Scotland, with emphasis on post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) service recovery, socioeconomic variation in Scotland, comparison with other urological procedures, and 10-year healthcare de

Lovegrove CE, Geraghty R, Ahmad I et al. · PMID 42581823

World J Urol 2026

Visual assessment of Randall's plaque using traxer grading and its correlations with demographic characteristics, metabolic parameters and stone analysis.

To evaluate the presence of Randall's plaque and its severity in patients with nephrolithiasis and to correlate it with demographic characteristics, metabolic parameters and stone analysis. Consecutive patients undergoing retrograde intrarenal surgery (RIRS) who met study criteria were prospectively enrolled. Demograph

Chitrakar A, Shrestha A, Adhikari B et al. · PMID 42579014


Sources: PubMed (NCBI E-utilities) and ClinicalTrials.gov, both public domain. Relevance flags are keyword heuristics, not clinical judgements. Listing a trial is not a recommendation to join it — talk to your own clinician first.