POCUS to Diagnose a Large Urethral Stone Causing Urinary Retention: A Case Report
Dinuk Sachintha Liyanage1, Darsim Haji1,2, Gabriel Bletcher1,3
1Peninsula Health Melbourne Australia.
Australasian Journal of Ultrasound in Medicine
|July 14, 2025
Summary
Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) can rapidly diagnose urethral calculi in the emergency department. This case demonstrates POCUS’s utility in guiding prompt treatment and ensuring complete stone removal, improving patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Medical imaging
- Urology
- Emergency medicine
Background:
- Ultrasound is standard for renal calculi but less established for urethral calculi.
- Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) offers potential for rapid diagnosis in emergency settings.
- Diagnosing urethral calculi efficiently can improve patient outcomes and reduce invasive procedures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To present a case where POCUS facilitated diagnosis and management of an obstructed urethral calculus.
- To highlight the utility of POCUS in assessing stone characteristics and urinary tract obstruction.
- To demonstrate POCUS's role in guiding immediate treatment and confirming stone removal.
Main Methods:
- A case report of a 42-year-old male with an obstructed urethral calculus.
- Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) used for diagnosis, characterization, and post-intervention assessment.
- Urethral stone removal performed by the urology team in the emergency department.
Main Results:
- POCUS enabled prompt and accurate diagnosis of the urethral calculus.
- Characterization of stone size, shape, and location guided immediate treatment.
- Post-removal POCUS confirmed complete stone clearance and resolved urinary tract obstruction.
- POCUS use avoided further investigations, reduced radiation exposure, and minimized emergency department length of stay.
Conclusions:
- Point of care ultrasound (POCUS) is a valuable tool for evaluating suspected urethral stones.
- POCUS aids in assessing stone location, size, and signs of urinary tract obstruction.
- The application of POCUS contributes to safe, efficient patient management in the emergency department.
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