Sonographic detection of a foreign body in the urethra and urinary bladder

Reported herein is a 41-year-old male who presented for ultrasound due to two episodes of lower urinary tract infections within a period of 5 months. The sonographic examination revealed an elongated foreign body in the urethra extending into the urinary bladder. Self-insertion of foreign bodies into the urethra is usually done for erotic stimulation. However, foreign bodies can be inserted by children due to curiosity and by mentally retarded people, patients with psychiatric disorders as well as by intoxicated patients and in confusional states. Due to embarrassment, the patients seek medical help only when they are symptomatic and hence some of the foreign bodies are removed only several months after insertion. Detection might be either by plain abdominal films when the foreign bodies are radiopaque or by the use of contrast media. In the case presented by us, this was done by sonography. Endoscopic removal of these foreign bodies is considered the treatment of choice. Recurrent or chronic unexplained urinary tract infections should raise a high index of suspicion to the possible existence of a foreign body in the urethra and/or urinary bladder.