Nephrocalcinosis

Symptoms:

There are no symptoms initially.

Symptoms of associated disorders may include:

• increased urine volume or urine output, decreased
• urinary hesitancy (difficulty initiating the flow of urine)
• dribbling of urinary incontinence
• decrease in the force of the urinary stream, stream small and weak
• increased urinary frequency or urgency
• a need to urinate at night (nocturia)
• painful urination (burning or stinging with urination)
• feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder
• blood in the urine
• flank pain or back pain
  • one or both sides
  • may be progressive
  • severe
  • spasm-like (colicky)
  • may radiate or move to lower in flank, pelvis, groin, genitals

• nausea, vomiting
• generalized swelling, fluid retention
• decrease in sensation, especially the hands or feet
• changes in mental status
  • drowsy, lethargic, hard to arouse
  • delirium or confusion
  • coma

• seizures
• blood in the vomit or stools
• easy bruising or bleeding

Signs and tests:

An examination is nonspecific for nephrocalcinosis but may indicate disorders that occur as a consequence of nephrocalcinosis. There may be signs of fluid overload, such as abnormal heart and lung sounds, if kidney function is poor.

• An abdominal film shows renal calcification.
• An abdominal CT scan shows nephrocalcinosis.
• Other tests may be performed to diagnose and determine the extent of associated disorders.