Intravesical foreign body-induced bladder calculi resulting in obstructive renal failure

Abstract

We report the case of a 30-year-old man who presented with obstructive renal failure and urosepsis due to bladder outlet-obstructing bladder calculi that formed around 3 copper wires that were self-inserted into his urinary bladder 15 years previously. We present the evaluation, imaging and management of the unique complications resulting from the self-insertion of an intra-vesical foreign body. Our patient's case was unique for 2 reasons. First, the length of time (15 yr) from foreign body insertion to presentation is the longest interval reported in the literature. Second, this is the first report of bladder calculi induced by the insertion of a foreign body that resulted in obstructive renal failure.

Fig. 1

Computed tomography scan of the abdomen and pelvis revealing severe bilateral hydroureteronephrosis with perinephric fat stranding and advanced renal cortical thinning.

Fig. 2

Detrusor hypertrophy and 3 large bladder calculi obstructing the bladder neck.

Fig. 3

Pelvic radiograph revealing bladder calculi that developed over linear radio-opacities.

Fig. 4

Bladder stone calcified over the copper wire.

Fig. 5

Copper wire, the nidus for bladder stone formation.