Premium
Urethral calculi: presentation and management
Author(s) -
Kamal B.A.,
Anikwe R.M.,
Darawani H.,
Hashish M.,
Taha S.A.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
bju international
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.773
H-Index - 148
eISSN - 1464-410X
pISSN - 1464-4096
DOI - 10.1111/j.1464-410x.2003.04660.x
Subject(s) - medicine , struvite , urethra , surgery , presentation (obstetrics) , uric acid , urinary system , urology , phosphate , organic chemistry , chemistry
OBJECTIVE To determine the occurrence, symptoms, treatment and outcome in patients with urethral stones. PATIENTS AND METHODS Fifty‐one consecutive patients with urethral calculi were assessed prospectively; all were male and one was an infant. RESULTS Acute retention of urine occurred in 78% of patients, urethral anatomical pathology in 6% and posterior urethral calculi in 88%. The urethral stones, solitary in each patient, consisted of calcium oxalate in 86%, struvite in 6%, mixed stones in 4%, calcium phosphate in 2% and uric acid in 2%. A methodical approach to therapy was used which aimed to clearly define the circumstances in which a given procedure was used, and the resulting success rate. CONCLUSION The common belief that most urethral calculi in patients in developing countries originate from the bladder does not seem to be generally applicable. Urethral anatomical pathology does not seem to be a necessary condition for most of these calculi.