Ureteral stone: diagnosis in emergency room patients.

In an attempt to identify the important factors in diagnosis of ureteral stone, a prospective study was done on 100 consecutive emergency room patients in whom the diagnosis of ureteral stone was ultimately established. Distribution of patients by age, sex, and race, and the presenting symptoms, signs, and laboratory and radiographic findings are presented. Ureteral stone was suspected on the basis of history, physical examination, and laboratory findings, but the diagnosis was established by radiographic examination in most instances. Stones located in or near the intramural ureter produced characteristic symptoms, otherwise there was no correlation between the presenting symptoms, signs, and laboratory findings, and the size and location of th 0reteral stone.