Kidney Stones: A Preface Kidney stone disease is the most common disease of the urinary tract, with a history dating back to 4000 B.C.1 These stones can develop anywhere in the urinary tract – kidney, ureter or urinary bladder – with symptoms ranging from none to severe pain.2 In recent times, kidney stone disease has become a major economic and health burden worldwide, with increasing prevalence and recurrence rates globally.1,3 It affects about 12% of the world population at some point in their life, with a predilection towards males and age group of 20-49 years. In India, about 12% of the population is expected to have urinary stones, out of which 50% might result in loss of kidney functions.