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Case Reports
. 2025 Jul 22;87(8):5330-5332.
doi: 10.1097/MS9.0000000000003606. eCollection 2025 Aug.

Spontaneous retrograde migration of a ureteric calculus: a rare phenomenon

Tayyaba Kauser  1 , Zain Ul Abdin  2 , Wishah Urwatil Wusqa  3 , Munna William  4 , Momena Rashid  4 , Rejina Chhetri  5
Affiliations
Case Reports

Spontaneous retrograde migration of a ureteric calculus: a rare phenomenon

Tayyaba Kauser et al. Ann Med Surg (Lond). .

Abstract

Introduction: While spontaneous anterograde passage of ureteric stones is well documented, retrograde migration-movement of the stone back towards the kidney is exceedingly rare. The mechanisms underlying this unusual migration pattern remain poorly understood, with only a few cases reported in the literature.

Case presentation: A 23-year-old female presented with acute left flank pain, imaging for which revealed a calculus in the left proximal ureter. A repeat imaging after a few weeks of medical management revealed a calculus of the same dimension at the lower pole calyx of the left kidney, with no calculus present at the initial site, indicating retrograde migration of the calculus. The patient subsequently underwent extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy with complete stone clearance.

Discussion: Retrograde migration of ureteric calculi is a rare phenomenon. Proposed mechanisms include reverse ureteral peristalsis, proximal ureteral dilation, antiperistaltic waves due to irritant stimuli, and the effects of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) on ureteric peristalsis. Awareness of this occurrence is important for appropriate diagnosis and management, as retrograde migration can affect treatment planning and outcomes.

Conclusions: The case highlights an unusual presentation of urolithiasis that radiologists and urologists should be aware of as this can have significant implications for clinical management.

Keywords: CT scan; rare; retrograde; ureteric calculus; urolithiasis.

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Conflict of interest statement

Sponsorships or competing interests that may be relevant to content are disclosed at the end of this article. The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Axial image (A) and coronal image (B) from CT-KUB dated 26-02-2025 showing calculus in left proximal ureter.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Axial image (A) and coronal image (B) from CT-KUB dated 13-03-2025 showing calculus in lower pole calyx of left kidney.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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