What are Urinary Tract Stones?

Urinary tract stones, which are also called bladder stones, occur when hard minerals collect together in the bladder to form small masses. These often develop due to an underlying condition, such as nerve damage, that causes the bladder to fail to completely empty. While they can pass out of the body on their own, most patients tend to require treatment. One procedure, called a cystolitholapaxy, allows the doctor to break up the stones. If this is not a viable option, patients will undergo a surgical procedure remove them.

Kidney stones can occasionally grow into urinary tract stones if they become stuck in the bladder. Bladder stones can also develop due to a urinary tract infection or radiation therapy to the area, which can both result in inflammation. Patients who require catheters to drain the bladder may also develop these deposits.

Other causes of urinary tract stones can include conditions that result in a failure of the bladder to fully void itself. When there is urine left in the bladder, it can form crystal deposits. Bladder diverticula, or a weakened area of the bladder wall, can also cause this. Other potential causes can include nerve damage and, in the case of a male patient, prostate gland enlargement.

Urinary tract stones do not always cause symptoms. Sometimes, they can impede the voiding of urine or abrade the wall of the bladder, causing symptoms. Patients may experience abdominal pressure and pain, the frequent urge to void, or the interruption of voiding. Some may be unable to urinate unless they position themselves in certain ways. Other symptoms can include abnormally colored urine or bloody urine.

It is essential to treat urinary tract stones to prevent complications from developing. Patients who retain these stones can experience recurring urinary tract infections. Long-term urinary malfunctions can also develop. These can include frequent urination and pain during urination. Some patients may require a catheter to void, because the stones can move from into the urethra and prevent urination.

Occasionally, a patient may be able to pass small stones out of the bladder through the urine. The doctor will likely instruct him to drink at least eight glasses of water daily to encourage this. Usually, medical treatment is necessary.

A cystolitholapaxy will begin with placing the patient under regional or general anesthesia. It involves inserting a tiny camera called a cystoscope into the urethra. Once the doctor is able to find the urinary tract stones, he can then use a laser or ultrasound to break them apart into smaller pieces. These smaller pieces may then be passed out of the body.

Less commonly, urinary tract stones may require surgery. After rendering the patient unconscious, the surgeon will make an incision in the bladder. He will then manually remove each stone. This type of surgery may be performed laparoscopically, in which case the surgeon will use several smaller incisions to shorten the recovery time. Otherwise, a large incision will be used.