Intravesical stone formation several years after hysterectomy: a case report

Abstract

Introduction: Most bladder stones develop in patients with bladder outlet obstruction. Intravesical stone formation after surgery outside the urinary bladder is rare.

Case presentation: A 54-year-old Taiwanese woman with lower urinary tract symptoms following a hysterectomy 14 years ago presented to our hospital. The intravesical calculus had developed from non-absorbable sutures and hung on the dome of the urinary bladder. The stone and residuum of the suture were retrieved by performing an endoscopic procedure.

Conclusions: The presence of an intravesical stone should be suspected in patients with a history of hysterectomy who have symptoms in the lower urinary tract. A hanging stone on the dome of the urinary bladder implies that suture materials migrate into the urinary bladder. The complication can be prevented by the routine use of absorbable material and double-checking with cystoscopy.

Figure 1

Abdominal X-ray showing a radiopaque shadow of 2.7cm × 1.5cm over the pelvis.

Figure 2

Image showing that the bladder stone encrusted the non-absorbable suture.