title: Spontaneous breakage of a double pigtail stent and bladder stone formation.
abstract: 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.
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling / Q000009:adverse effects*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011095:Polyethylenes / Q000009:adverse effects; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy; D011859:Radiography; D014513:Ureter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D001744:Urinary Bladder Calculi / Q000209:etiology*; D014546:Urinary Catheterization / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D011095:Polyethylenes