Question

Which of these is a criterion for conservative treatment in a ureteric calculus?

• A. Infection and hydronephrosis present
• B. Size under 6 mm
• C. No movement for 2 weeks
• D. Highly symptomatic

Hint:

Small stones under about 6 mm have a high chance of passing on their own.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Question:
We need to pick the feature of a ureteric stone that supports watching and waiting (conservative treatment) instead of an active procedure.

Step 2: Key Concept:
Conservative, or expectant, management of a ureteric stone means giving pain relief, fluids, and sometimes medical expulsive therapy, and waiting for the stone to pass on its own. The main factor that decides whether a stone is likely to pass by itself is its size, since small stones can travel through the narrow parts of the ureter while larger ones get stuck.

Step 3: Detailed Explanation:
Stones under about 5 to 6 mm have a high chance, roughly 70 percent, of passing on their own within a few weeks, so small size is the classic criterion for conservative treatment.
Infection with hydronephrosis (option A) is actually a warning sign for urgent drainage, an infected obstructed kidney is a urological emergency that needs prompt decompression, not watchful waiting.
No movement for 2 weeks (option C) suggests the stone is impacted and not progressing, which favors intervention rather than continued conservative care.
Being highly symptomatic (option D) with severe, uncontrolled pain also pushes toward active treatment rather than conservative management.

Step 4: Final Answer:
A stone size under 6 mm is the recognized criterion favoring conservative treatment of a ureteric calculus.