Case report: an unusual intravesical foreign body: cause of recurrent urinary tract infections

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Pediatric Medicine
• Medical Case Reports

Background:

• Recurrent urinary tract infections (UTIs) pose a diagnostic challenge, particularly in pediatric patients.
• Standard antibiotic therapies may fail to resolve persistent UTIs, necessitating further investigation.
• Intravesical foreign bodies are uncommon causes of UTIs but should be considered in refractory cases.

Observation:

• A 16-year-old male patient presented with persistent, recurrent UTIs despite appropriate antibiotic management.
• Diagnostic workup revealed an unexpected intravesical foreign body – a common ballpoint pen.
• The foreign body was successfully removed surgically through a cystostomy procedure.

Findings:

• The presence of an intravesical foreign body was the underlying cause of the recurrent UTIs in this patient.
• Removal of the foreign body led to the resolution of the urinary tract infections.
• This case highlights an atypical etiology for persistent UTIs in adolescents.

Implications:

• Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for intravesical foreign bodies in patients with recurrent UTIs, irrespective of age.
• Diagnostic imaging and cystoscopy may be warranted in cases of refractory UTIs.
• Considering unusual foreign bodies can lead to timely diagnosis and effective management, preventing complications.