[Diagnosis and treatment of nephrolithiasis and prevention of recurrences].

INTRODUCTION: despite fluctuations, the prevalence of nephrolithiasis has significantly increased during the last decades in industrialized nations worldwide (1 to 15 %), which has a significant impact on the cost of healthcare. This increased prevalence is mainly explained by diet modifications. Environmental, metabolic and genetic factors may also influence the formation of kidney stones. As a consequence, the medical management of this disease is preferentially multidisciplinary and involves urologists, nephrologists, radiologists, biologists and dietitians. Urological management : may be mandatory during any acute and/or remote phase of an episode of renal colic, in case of residual stones. Several techniques are available: insertion of double J stent, extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, ureteroscopy (flexible or rigid), percutaneous nephrolithotomy and more occasionally, open surgery. Nephrological management: is justified in the course of the acute episode and aims to identify the causal factor(s) of kidney stones formation. The diagnostic approach involves a thorough interrogation (personal medical and surgical history, details of the kidney stone disease and family medical history) as well as a metabolic assessment. Moreover, given the high rate of recurrence (about 50 % within 5 to 10 years), individualized secondary prevention measures are necessary. The recommendations should take into account the identified risk factors and any metabolic abnormalities.