Our Approach to Stones
The Montefiore Einstein Stone Program is a leader in stone prevention, diagnosis and treatment for adults and children. Providing comprehensive, state-of-the-art care for all types of stones, including kidney stones and bladder stones, our world-renowned, multidisciplinary team includes urologists, endocrinologists, nephrologists, pathologists, geneticists, radiologists, dieticians and other specialists who collaborate closely. Using the most advanced diagnostics and treatments, we help improve stone-free rates, prevent stone recurrence, relieve pain, restore function of the urinary tract and improve quality of life for each patient. We’re ranked in the top 1% of all U.S. hospitals for urology, according to U.S. News & World Report.
Our team of specialists uses an individualized approach to managing stone diseases, taking into account a variety of factors when tailoring treatment plans, including each patient’s unique genetic, metabolic and environmental risk factors. We are leaders in minimally invasive, robotic and incisionless endourologic surgery for all types of stones.
Advanced Diagnostics & Treatments
We offer the most advanced diagnostics and treatments for the prevention, early detection and management of all types of stones in adults and children.
Our doctors use an integrated and individualized approach to diagnosing stone diseases, including each patient’s unique genetic and metabolic analysis. The latest diagnostic imaging technology is used to help accurately evaluate stone disease, including abdominal X-rays, ultrasound and advanced computed tomography (CT) scans, and stone analysis of passed or surgically removed stones. In certain cases, we also use advanced ureteroscopes, such as single-use, fiber-optic and digital flexible ureteroscopes, as well as cystoscopy techniques to look for stones.
Depending on the type, size, location, shape and extent of the stones, a full range of nonoperative and surgical treatments is available, including hydration and diet, medical interventions and surgery. If surgery is required, our team specializes in minimally invasive, robotic and incisionless endourologic surgery for faster recovery.
Our continued work in developing emerging techniques and technologies for the treatment of stone diseases allows us to offer access to the latest stone-ablating technologies, such as holmium and thulium fiber lasers and pneumatic and ultrasonic lithotripters, as well as the latest vacuum devices and advanced basketing and dusting techniques.
- Extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL)
- Incisionless ureteroscopy with holmium and thulium fiber laser lithotripsy with/or without ureteral stenting
- Percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) for larger and more complex stones
- Vacuum-assisted device to remove residual stone fragments
- Transurethral cystolitholapaxy and percutaneous suprapubic cystolitholapaxy for children or adults with large bladder stones
- Open cystostomy to remove large bladder stones in men with enlarged prostates
- Lithotripsy
- Incisionless ureteroscopy with holmium and thulium fiber laser lithotripsy with/or without ureteral stenting
- Vacuum-assisted device to remove residual stone fragments
Research & Clinical Trials
Our researchers have made substantial contributions and continue to actively conduct basic, translational and clinical research to advance our understanding, treatment and prevention of stone diseases. Our clinical trials have included evaluating pain outcomes of non-opioid versus opioid analgesia for kidney stone surgery and determining the efficacy and safety of novel drugs, such as ALLN-177 (Reloxaliase) in patients with enteric hyperoxaluria. We are one of only two sites in the nation outside of Michigan partnering with the Michigan Urological Surgery Improvement Collaborative (MUSIC), working to reduce operative complications from kidney stone surgery. We are also conducting a randomized clinical trial to explore the omission of stents after ureteroscopy, aiming to reduce stent-related discomfort and the number of procedures needed.
Our research includes optimizing surgical outcomes for all people with kidney stones and exploring the underlying mechanisms of urinary stone disease. Through our clinical trials, our patients have access to emerging technologies and innovative treatments that are otherwise unavailable to the general public.
Your Stone Program Team
Alexander C. Small, MD
Jillian R. Donnelly, DO
Beth Edelblute, MD
Tashana Ferguson, NP
Dima Raskolnikov, MD
Our multidisciplinary team of experts specializes in the prevention, diagnosis and management of all types of stones in children and adults. We deliver world-renowned care to enhance stone-free rates, prevent stone recurrence, relieve pain, restore function of the urinary tract and improve the quality of life for each patient.
