Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2025 Apr;95(4):773-777.
doi: 10.1111/ans.70033. Epub 2025 Feb 18.

Validating the MIMIC score as a predictor of successful spontaneous stone passage in patients managed conservatively for ureteric colic

T M Milton  1   2   3 , D N Noll  2 , P S Stapleton  2 , P Z Zhang  2 , J C Chieng  1 , J C Chow  1 , J H Hewitt  1   2 , L S Stroman  2 , S V Van Beek  2 , R S Steele  2
Affiliations

Validating the MIMIC score as a predictor of successful spontaneous stone passage in patients managed conservatively for ureteric colic

T M Milton et al. ANZ J Surg. 2025 Apr.

Abstract

Backgrounds: The MIMIC score was designed to predict the likelihood of spontaneous stone passage (SSP) in patients presenting with ureteric colic and given a trial of conservative management. The objective of this study was to determine the external validity of the MIMIC score.

Methods: Cross-sectional, retrospective cohort study that reviewed patients over a 2-year period presenting with ureteric colic who were given a trial of conservative management. Patient-factors were recorded, and their MIMIC score calculated and compared to the observed outcome. Discrimination was determined using an area under the receiver-operating curve with an AUC >0.7 considered validated and calibration using calibration plot.

Results: Three hundred ninety-nine patients were included. The median age was 49 (IQR 37-60). 79% were males. The mean stone size for successful SSP was 3.8 mm compared to 4.8 mm for failed SSP. 88% of stones passed spontaneously. The AUC was 0.68 (95% CI: 0.60-0.77). The calibration plot showed an underestimation of SSP. In the lowest quintile of patients with a mean predicted SSP rate of 46%, the observed SSP rate was 74% (95% CI: 63-83%). With a higher predicted SSP rate, the MIMIC score was accurate. In the highest quintile of patients with a mean predicted SSP rate of 90%, the observed SSP rate was 92% (95% CI: 84-97%).

Conclusion: In this population, the prediction of the MIMIC score were not sufficiently accurate. There was overall an underestimation of SSP. The MIMIC score was accurate for patients who had a higher likelihood of SSP (>83%).

Keywords: MET; MIMIC score; SSP; medical expulsion therapy; spontaneous stone passage; ureteric colic.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Hyams ES, Matlaga BR. Economic impact of urinary stones. Transl. Androl. Urol. 2014; 3: 278–283.
    1. Scales CDJ, Smith AC, Hanley JM, Saigal CS. Prevalence of kidney stones in the United States. Eur. Urol. 2012; 62: 160–165.
    1. Lee M‐C, Bariol SV. Epidemiology of stone disease in Australia. In: Talati JJ, Tiselius H‐G, Albala DM, Ye Z (eds). Urolithiasis: Basic Science and Clinical Practice. London: Springer London, 2012; 73–76.
    1. Assimos D, Krambeck A, Miller NL et al. Surgical Management of Stones: American urological association/endourological society guideline, PART I. J. Urol. 2016; 196: 1153–1160.
    1. Falagario UG, Calò B, Auciello M, Carrieri G, Cormio L. Advanced ureteroscopic techniques for the management of kidney stones. Curr. Opin. Urol. 2021; 31: 58–65.

Publication types

LinkOut - more resources