Wandering Double-J Stent in the Retroperitoneum: A Case Report

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Endourology
• Nephrology

Background:

• Double-J (DJ) stents are commonly used in urologic procedures.
• Complications include irritative symptoms, encrustations, and migration, but extra-urinary displacement is rare.

Observation:

• A 46-year-old female presented with flank pain and dysuria 11 years after percutaneous nephrolithotomy.
• Imaging revealed a forgotten DJ stent with proximal encrustations in the pelvicaliceal system (PCS) and the distal end in the retroperitoneum, crossing the midline.

Findings:

• The malpositioned, forgotten DJ stent was successfully removed intact using a multimodal endourologic technique.
• The patient experienced prompt symptom relief and preserved renal function post-removal.

Implications:

• This case represents the first report of a DJ stent malpositioned outside the PCS for over a decade, managed successfully with endourology.
• Effective endourologic techniques can manage rare, long-term complications of forgotten urinary stents, preserving renal function.