Foreign Body in Kidney Presenting as Renal Stone

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Nephrology
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Retained foreign bodies in the urinary system are uncommon in the renal pelvis, with most cases involving the urinary bladder.
• Foreign objects can enter the renal pelvis through iatrogenic means or direct gastrointestinal tract penetration.
• The clinical presentation of renal pelvic foreign bodies can be non-specific, mimicking conditions like renal tumors, abscesses, hematomas, or renal calculi.

Observation:

• A patient presented with flank pain and symptoms consistent with renal stones.
• Non-contrast computed tomography (CT) scan findings were also suggestive of a renal stone.
• Endoscopic examination revealed an intrarenal foreign body, not a renal stone.

Findings:

• An unusual intrarenal foreign body was identified in the renal pelvis.
• The foreign body mimicked the imaging characteristics of a renal stone on CT.
• Successful retrieval of the foreign body was achieved through endoscopy.

Implications:

• This case underscores the importance of considering foreign bodies in the differential diagnosis of renal pelvic filling defects, even when CT suggests renal stones.
• Endoscopic evaluation can be crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of suspected renal stones with atypical features.
• Awareness of rare presentations of foreign bodies in the renal pelvis can improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.