Multimodal stone therapy for two forgotten and encrusted ureteral stents: A case report

Abstract

Introduction: Ureteral stent placement is a common procedure in daily urologic practice. To manage the problems of forgotten stents for many years needs multimodal stone therapy. Case presentation: We present a case of a 26-years-old Caucasian, white woman with two forgotten encrusted ureteral stents for 48 months. Multimodal stone therapy including extracorporeal shock wave (SWL), percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL), ureterorenoscopy (URS), cystolithotripsy with Lithoclast, and open surgery was necessary to remove all the stones. Using the described combination of techniques, our patient was rendered stone and stent free. Urologists should bear in mind the presence of severe encrustations when they have to deal with a forgotten stent. Conclusion: This case shows that combined urologic techniques can achieve successful and safe management of forgotten stents, but treatment should be tailored to the volume of encrustation and associated stone. © 2009 Ecke et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.