Urethral calculus with a recurrent acute urinary retention in a male child aged 11 years: A case report

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Urology
• Nephrology
• Surgical Management

Background:

• Urolithiasis is a common condition in adults but rare in children, particularly when presenting with acute urinary retention.
• Diagnosis in pediatric patients can be challenging due to non-specific symptoms, often relying on imaging as an incidental finding.
• Urethral calculi, stones in the urethra, pose a significant management challenge, especially when causing acute urinary obstruction.

Observation:

• An 11-year-old male presented with recurrent acute urinary retention due to urethral calculi.
• Episodes of obstruction occurred approximately annually without a clear underlying cause.
• The clinical presentation complicated early diagnosis and intervention.

Findings:

• Urethral calculus is infrequent in children compared to adults.
• Calculi can form within the urethra or migrate from upper urinary tracts.
• The case underscores the difficulty in diagnosing pediatric urethral obstruction.

Implications:

• Urgent urinary diversion and calculus removal are crucial to prevent complications.
• Minimizing urethral trauma during surgical intervention is paramount.
• This case emphasizes the need for heightened clinical suspicion for urolithiasis in pediatric patients with urinary symptoms.