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Published on: October 12, 2017
Posterior urethral valves with vesical calculus: A rare association
Himanshu Acharya1, N P Dhende, S B Mane
1Department of Paediatric Surgery, SIR J J Group of Hospitals, Mumbai, India.
Insights
Posterior urethral valves and bladder stones are common in children. Their co-occurrence can delay diagnosis of the valve, highlighting the need for vigilance in persistent cases.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Urology
- Pediatric Nephrology
- Medical Diagnostics
Background:
- Posterior urethral valves (PUV) and bladder calculi are frequent causes of pediatric lower urinary tract obstruction.
- While individually common, the simultaneous occurrence of PUV and bladder calculi is rarely reported.
Observation:
- This report details three pediatric cases presenting with both posterior urethral valves and vesical calculi.
- The presence of bladder calculi may obscure or delay the diagnosis of underlying PUV.
Findings:
- The co-existence of posterior urethral valves and bladder calculi is a recognized, albeit uncommon, clinical scenario.
- Vesical calculi can mimic or mask the symptoms of posterior urethral valves, leading to diagnostic challenges.
Implications:
- Clinicians should maintain a high index of suspicion for posterior urethral valves in children with bladder or urethral calculi.
- Persistent urinary symptoms post-calculus removal warrant further investigation for underlying conditions like PUV.
Abstract:
Posterior urethral valve and vesical calculus are individually among the most common causes of obstructive lower urinary complaints in children. There are very few reports of association between posterior urethral valves and bladder calculus. We report three such cases. This association of the vesical calculi with posterior urethral valves may lead to a delay in the diagnosis of the posterior urethral valves. The diagnosis of posterior urethral valves should be suspected in all children with vesical or urethral calculi who have persistence of symptoms even after removal of the calculi.
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