Final answer:
Nephrolithiasis without associated pain, infection, or obstruction is referred to as silent kidney stones and is typically monitored using imaging methods like X-rays or CT scans every 6-12 months unless symptoms or complications arise.
Step-by-step explanation:
Nephrolithiasis in the absence of pain, infection, or obstruction is called silent kidney stones and is monitored with imaging every 6-12 months. Kidney stones, also known as renal calculi, can form anywhere in the urinary system and vary greatly in size. When these stones are larger or become lodged in the ureter, they can cause severe symptoms including pain, hematuria, and possible obstruction of urine flow. Symptoms such as renal colic are experienced when the stone causes an obstruction leading to severe pain, often associated with nausea and vomiting. In situations where the stones do not cause pain or other noticeable symptoms, they may only be discovered incidentally during medical imaging for other reasons.
Regular monitoring via imaging, typically with an X-ray or a CT scan, the latter being the gold standard, is crucial for the management of silent kidney stones. Depending on their growth rate or if they begin to cause symptoms, treatment options such as lithotripsy, stents, or even surgery might be considered to remove or aid the passage of the stones.