Spontaneous retrograde migration of ureterovesical junction stone to the kidney; first ever reported case in the English literature in human

Retrograde migration of a vesicoureteric junction calculus: A potential pitfall of the noncontrast limited pelvic computerized tomography

Retrograde ureteric calculus migration is a rare phenomenon. Herein, we report two such cases where each patient presented with a calculus, measured at 5 mm and 6 mm, respectively, at the vesicoureteric junction (VUJ) on noncontrast computerized tomography kidneys, ureters, and bladder (CTKUB). Following acute presentation with renal colic, each patient opted for conservative management of their ureteric stone and became asymptomatic when undergoing their follow-up imaging. The first patient underwent a follow-up noncontrast limited pelvic computerized tomography (CT) where it had appeared that the radiolucent VUJ calculus had passed. This stone was then discovered incidentally 3 months later in the upper ureter when the patient had undergone a CT colonography. The other patient underwent a follow-up X-ray KUB where the stone was shown to have migrated to the lower renal pole calyx which was confirmed with noncontrast CTKUB imaging. In all reported cases of retrograde VUJ calculus migration, the use of a noncontrast limited pelvic CT scan either missed or would have missed this phenomenon. This potential pitfall of the noncontrast limited pelvic CT scan should be appreciated and the use of full upper renal tract imaging should be considered for the follow-up of radiolucent VUJ calculus cases whereby there is no clear history of calculus passage.

Pearl-unjammed: the Seattle stone maneuver for ureteropelvic junction urolithiasis

Renal colic encounters are common; in the United States alone, they represent greater than one million annual emergency department (ED) visits. Most of these stones are managed conservatively with a trial of passage. However, some lead to repeat colic episodes, secondary ED visits, increased anxiety, and increased cost. Of the 5%-10% of symptomatic stones that become lodged at the ureteropelvic junction and are larger than 5 mm, most require operative intervention. In the process of executing a NASA-funded study of ultrasonic repositioning of kidney stones, the subject was administered fluid to dilate the collecting system, placed in Trendelenburg bed positioning, and rolled to both sides. During this process a symptomatic, obstructing 9-mm ureteropelvic junction stone moved back into the kidney's lower pole/infundibulum and symptoms were immediately resolved. The patient remained asymptomatic for a period of 5 weeks at which point elective intervention was scheduled. This case demonstrates that ureteropelvic junction stones may be repositioned in a non-invasive manner, turning a stone that requires urgent intervention into one that can be managed electively.

Upward migration of a ureteric stone in a military trainer: a case report

Retrograde ureteric stone migration is an extremely rare phenomenon with only one previously reported case in the literature. We report on a case of upward spontaneous migration of a ureteric stone in a 39-year-old male military trainer in Saudi Arabia who was diagnosed with upper left ureteric stone based on non-contrast spiral computerized tomography kidney ureter bladder (CT-KUB) scan. The plan was to treat the patient conservatively with alpha blockers and oral hydration. Two weeks after treatment started, repeated CT-KUB scan revealed an upward migration of the stone to the left renal calyx. Accordingly, we highly recommend performing a prior stone localizing imaging test to avoid unnecessary procedures or operations.