Ureterocele containing calcified stone

Coexistence of multiple ureteral and ureterocele stones in a patient

Background

Uroterocele causes atony and stagnation in the ureter, thus predisposing the patient to stone formation. Multiple calculi in uroteroceles are common in adults but very rare in children.

Case presentation

We describe the case of a 3-year-old boy who presented with hematuria and was found to have multiple ureteral and ureterocele stones. The diagnosis was made during endoscopic lithotripsy. A holmium/yttrium–aluminum–garnet (Ho–YAG) laser was used to excise the uroterocele and for lithotripsy.

Conclusions

In appropriate cases, minimally invasive techniques, for example, Ho–YAG laser lithotripsy and ureterocele excision may be preferred.

Bilateral Calculi in a Child With Bilateral Single System Ureteroceles

Ureteroceles in children are detected with prenatal sonography and less commonly during the evaluation following a urinary tract infection. Rarely do ureteroceles in the pediatric population present with stones, particularly in a bilateral fashion. We present a case of a 5-year-old boy found to have bilateral intravesical single system ureteroceles harboring multiple large calculi treated successfully with a staged endoscopic approach.

Structural features of three ureterocele calculi

Ureterocele calculi are developed in cavities with urinary retention but far from the upper renal cavities. The structural features of three ureterocele calcium oxalate stones were observed by scanning electron microscope coupled with X ray microanalysis. The urinary parameters of the three patients were also determined. The stone A consisted of loose structure of large calcium oxalate dihydrate crystals and small spheres of hydroxyapatite. The interior contains disorganized plate-like calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals. The stone B was formed by a compact outer layer of calcium oxalate monohydrate columnar crystals. The structure of stone interior was similar to the stone A. The stone C was formed by concentric layers composed of either calcium oxalate monohydrate columnar crystals or hydroxyapatite. The core consisted of agglomerated calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals, hydroxyapatite and organic matter. From the urinary biochemical data it was deduced that two ureterocele patients (who formed A and B stones) were hypercalciuric (calcium > 300 mg/24 h), being 6.5 the urinary pH value of the patient that formed the A stone, and 7.0 the urinary pH of the patient that formed the C stone. The rest of urinary parameters for the three patients were normal. Thus, one of the requisite conditions for unattached stone development is the existence of a place inside the urinary tract where the solid particles that act as calculus initiator of the stone can be retained enough time to exert this action.