A bladder stone is a hard mineral deposit that forms over time inside the bladder. It usually occurs as a result of urine remaining in the bladder for a long time and not being fully emptied. This condition sets the stage for the minerals in the urine to precipitate and form a stone.
Causes
The most common causes of a bladder stone:
- Prostate enlargement (obstructs urine flow in men)
- The bladder not emptying completely (urinary retention)
- Recurrent urinary tract infections
- Neurogenic bladder (voiding disorders originating from the nervous system)
- Long-term catheter use
- Bladder outlet strictures
Symptoms
A bladder stone usually affects the bladder outlet and urine flow, leading to the following complaints:
- Sudden interruption while urinating
- Weakening of the urine stream
- Pain or a feeling of discomfort in the groin area
- Blood in the urine (hematuria)
- Frequent urination
- Burning when urinating
Possible complications
If left untreated:
- Recurrent infections
- Thickening and damage of the bladder wall
- Back pressure to the kidney (development of hydronephrosis)
- A serious decline in quality of life
Treatment methods
Bladder stone treatment is usually performed with minimally invasive methods:
- Endoscopic stone breaking (with cystoscopy)
- Stone fragmentation with laser
- Complete removal of the stone
- Treatment of the underlying cause (for example, prostate enlargement)
- Open surgery, rarely, in very large stones
Today, in most patients, fast and successful results are obtained with closed methods.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do bladder stones recur?
Yes. If the underlying cause that impairs urine flow (especially prostate enlargement or a voiding problem) is not treated, it can form again.
Is surgery essential?
In most cases, open surgery is not needed. Breaking and removing the stone with endoscopic (closed) methods is sufficient.
Does a bladder stone cause pain?
Yes. Interruption while urinating, groin pain, and burning are especially common.
Is a bladder stone dangerous?
When left untreated, it can lead to infections, urinary obstruction, and kidney involvement.
How is a bladder stone identified?
A definitive diagnosis is made with ultrasonography and cystoscopy.
Clinical Summary
A bladder stone is a disease that mostly develops due to the bladder not being fully emptied and can be treated with a high success rate using closed methods. However, since the risk of recurrence is high if the underlying cause is not corrected, a holistic evaluation is important.
