• Flank pain or pain in the side
  • Severe
  • May travel or radiate to the groin, genitals, thigh
  • Periodic and changing intensity over minutes (colicky) or spasmodic
  • On one side
  • Severe enough to require narcotics
  • Radiating to groin
• Nausea or vomiting
• Back pain, may be on only one side
• Abdominal pain, right or left lower quadrant
• Blood in the urine
• Abnormal urine color (tan, cola colored, tea colored)
• High blood pressure that has increased recently (within 2 weeks)
• Urinary tract infection
• Fever
• Urinary frequency
• Urinary urgency
• Foul-smelling urine
• Mental status changes

A history of acute ureteric colic may indicate unilateral obstructive uropathy. Palpation of the abdomen reveals an enlarged or tender kidney. Blood pressure may or may not be elevated. Fever may or may not be present (infection).

The following tests may be conducted:

• Urinalysis may often reveal blood in the urine.
• Urine culture may also reveal urinary tract infection.
• CBC (to look for leukocytosis as a sign of infection)
• Basic metabolic panel (to assess kidney function)

Hydronephrosis and/or obstruction of the ureter may appear on these tests:

• Intravenous pyelogram (IVP)
• Abdominal ultrasound
• Abdominal CT scan
• Renal nuclear scan