The likelihood of spontaneous passage of a kidney stone is strongly correlated with its size. Generally, stones smaller in diameter have a significantly higher chance of being expelled from the urinary tract without medical intervention.
Understanding the maximum diameter a kidney stone can be and still pass on its own is crucial for patient management. It informs decisions regarding conservative treatment, which involves pain management and increased fluid intake, versus more invasive procedures like lithotripsy or surgical removal. Historically, observations of stone passage have been a key factor in establishing these guidelines.
