Spontaneous breakage of a double pigtail stent and bladder stone formation

Five years after prostate resection and hormonal treatment for carcinoma of prostate a 76 year old patient presented with bone and lung metastases and dilatation of left upper collecting system. After castration a double J stent was inserted in the ureter. Two years later he was admitted for alteration in general condition related to cholecystitis. A standard radiograph showed the catheter fractured into four pieces, although no urinary signs had been reported during this 2-year period. Cholecystectomy was performed and the patient reviewed 6 weeks later: urography showed good functioning of the kidney and the absence of obstruction of the collecting system. The process of fragmentation continued and a bladder calculus developed on fragments falling into bladder: it was extracted by lithotripsy. The patient was asymptomatic and refused further investigation or treatment. This case is one of several reported in the literature and silicone or C-flex should be substituted for polyethylene.