Bladder stone

Editor-In-Chief: Prab R Tumpati, MD
Obesity, Sleep & Internal medicine
Founder, WikiMD Wellnesspedia &
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Bladder stone
Synonyms	Vesical calculus, cystolith
Pronounce	N/A
Specialty	N/A
Symptoms	Hematuria, dysuria, urinary frequency, urinary urgency, urinary tract infection
Complications	Urinary tract infection, bladder damage, urinary retention
Onset	More common in adults, especially older males
Duration	Can persist until treated
Types	N/A
Causes	Urinary tract infection, bladder outlet obstruction, neurogenic bladder, foreign body in bladder
Risks	Dehydration, prostate enlargement, bladder diverticulum, neurogenic bladder
Diagnosis	Urinalysis, ultrasound, CT scan, cystoscopy
Differential diagnosis	Kidney stone, bladder cancer, urinary tract infection
Prevention	Adequate hydration, treating underlying conditions
Treatment	Cystolitholapaxy, surgery, treating underlying cause
Medication	Antibiotics for infection, pain management
Prognosis	N/A
Frequency	More common in regions with high prevalence of urinary tract infection
Deaths	Rare, usually due to complications

A bladder stone is a hard mass of minerals that forms in the bladder. This condition is also known as vesical calculus or cystolith. Bladder stones occur when minerals in urine concentrate and crystallize, forming stones. These stones can range in size from tiny grains to large, golf-ball-sized masses.

Causes

Bladder stones are often caused by an inability to completely empty the bladder, a condition known as urinary retention. This can be due to a variety of underlying conditions, including bladder diverticulum, neurogenic bladder, and prostate enlargement. Other causes can include urinary tract infections, inflammation of the bladder, and foreign objects in the bladder.

Symptoms

Symptoms of bladder stones can vary depending on the size of the stone. Small stones may not cause any symptoms and may pass unnoticed. Larger stones, however, can cause symptoms such as hematuria (blood in the urine), lower abdominal pain, frequent urination, painful urination, and urinary tract infections.

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of bladder stones typically involves a physical examination and a review of the patient's medical history. Additional tests may include a urinalysis, ultrasound, CT scan, or cystoscopy.

Treatment

Treatment for bladder stones typically involves removing the stones. This can be done through a procedure known as a cystolitholapaxy, in which a small instrument is inserted into the bladder to break up the stones. In some cases, surgery may be required to remove large stones. Treatment also involves addressing the underlying condition that caused the stones to form.

Prevention

Prevention of bladder stones involves drinking plenty of fluids to dilute the concentration of minerals in the urine, and fully emptying the bladder when urinating. Regular exercise can also help prevent bladder stones by promoting regular bladder function.

Bladder stone gallery

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  Bladder Stone with Ruler
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  Jackstone
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  Bladder Stone
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  Carel van Savoyen - Jan de Doot

See Also

• Kidney stone
• Urinary tract infection
• Prostate enlargement