ABSTRACT
A recent study has suggested no significant difference in adverse event rate untreated small asymptomatic lower caliceal calculi. Anatomical variations around the lower pole-namely length, width and the angle between renal pelvis and the lower calyceal infundibulum-can lead to considerable variations in success rates (long narrow infundibulae with an acute angle between the infundibulum and the upper ureter fare worst). Stones >2cm are usually best treated with an indwelling stent to avoid ureteric obstruction and Steinstrasse formation.
