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What Causes Intermittent Flank Pain?

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Posted on Fri, 12 Sep 2014
Twitter Fri, 12 Sep 2014 Answered on
Twitter Mon, 29 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on
Question : My 8 year old has had intermittent right flank pain. He says he notices it if he waits too long to urinate. It lasts about 5 minutes after urinating. Could he have a kidney stone?
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Answered by Dr. Eric Goldstein (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Right Flank Pain

Detailed Answer:
Hello. I just read through your question.
I agree that flank pain is typically kidney related. In this age group, and in boys, a kidney stone is definitely a possibility.
The first step in evaluation would be to consult your doctor. An in office urine test can be done. In the case of a stone, microscopic red blood cells often appear on the test. Even in the absence of this sign it should still be suspected.
A referral to a good pediatric urologist to complete the evaluation, specifically with an ultrasound to view the kidney, would be the next step.
In the meantime, your son should be drinking lots of fluids to help minimize the discomfort and hopefully, if a stone exists, pass it.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Dr. Eric Goldstein

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Practicing since :1999

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What Causes Intermittent Flank Pain?

Brief Answer: Right Flank Pain Detailed Answer: Hello. I just read through your question. I agree that flank pain is typically kidney related. In this age group, and in boys, a kidney stone is definitely a possibility. The first step in evaluation would be to consult your doctor. An in office urine test can be done. In the case of a stone, microscopic red blood cells often appear on the test. Even in the absence of this sign it should still be suspected. A referral to a good pediatric urologist to complete the evaluation, specifically with an ultrasound to view the kidney, would be the next step. In the meantime, your son should be drinking lots of fluids to help minimize the discomfort and hopefully, if a stone exists, pass it.