Amy E. Krambeck, MD, presented “Management of Urolithiasis During Pregnancy” during the 44th Annual Ralph E. Hopkins Urology Seminar on February 8, 2025, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

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How to cite: Krambeck, Amy E. “Management of Urolithiasis During Pregnancy.” February 8, 2025. Accessed Mar 2025. https://grandroundsinurology.com/management-of-urolithiasis-during-pregnancy/

Management of Urolithiasis During Pregnancy – Summary

Amy E. Krambeck, MD, explores the management of urolithiasis in pregnancy. In this 21-minute presentation, Dr. Krambeck emphasizes the challenges of diagnosis and treatment, underscoring the importance of a tailored, multidisciplinary approach that prioritizes maternal and fetal safety while ensuring effective stone management.

Dr. Krambeck notes that renal colic is the most common non-obstetric reason for hospital admission during pregnancy. Physiologic changes, including ureteral dilation and hypercalcemia, contribute to stone formation.  Ultrasound, particularly transvaginal and retroperitoneal views, is the preferred imaging modality, as traditional diagnostic tools like CT scans are limited due to fetal radiation concerns. 

Conservative management with hydration and analgesia is the first-line approach. Treatments like SWL or PCNL are contraindicated during pregnancy. Due to high complication rates with stent placement and percutaneous nephrostomy tubes, ureteroscopy is the safest and most effective definitive treatment. Dr. Krambeck shares a video of her procedure, narrating throughout.

 

About The 44th Annual Ralph E. Hopkins Urology Seminar:

The Ralph E. Hopkins Urology Seminar is a multi-day meeting focused on training urologists in the latest in assessing, diagnosing, and treating urologic conditions in the clinical setting. Updates are provided on urologic cancers, stone disease, urologic reconstruction, female urology, infertility, sexual function, emerging surgical techniques, and general urology. The 44th iteration of the meeting took place from February 5th to February 8th, 2025, in Jackson Hole, Wyoming.

For further educational activities from this conference, visit our collection page.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

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Amy E. Krambeck, MD, is a professor of urology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago, Illinois. Dr. Krambeck earned her medical degree from the University of Missouri School of Medicine in Columbia. She completed her urology residency at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where she received extensive training and refined her surgical expertise. Following her residency, Dr. Krambeck pursued an endourology fellowship at the Methodist Institute for Kidney Stone Research in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Dr. Krameck specializes in the surgical and medical management of stone disease and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and she has alleviated the symptoms of many patients. Her research focuses on the pathogenesis of stone disease and novel treatments for urolithiasis during pregnancy.

Dr. Krambeck began her career as an endourologist at the Mayo Clinic's Department of Urology, where she demonstrated exceptional surgical skills and a strong commitment to patient care. In 2016, Dr. Krambeck joined Indiana University, where she led the benign urologic diseases division until 2020. Her leadership and expertise significantly advanced the division, offering patients innovative treatments for various urologic conditions.

Dr. Krambeck's dedication to her patients, extensive knowledge, and research contributions have established her as a leading figure in urology. She continues to influence the future of urologic care through her clinical excellence and academic endeavors.