Bladder stones are actually related to parasites!

Speaking of stones, we may come into contact with them in our daily life. For example, the most common one is kidney stones, which we have some understanding of. However, how are bladder stones formed? Why is it related to parasites? Let me show you how.

Causes

In addition to malnutrition, lower urinary tract obstruction, infection, bladder foreign bodies, and metabolic diseases can all cause bladder stones. Lower urinary tract obstruction, such as prostatic hyperplasia, urethral stenosis, and bladder neck tumors, are all caused by urine retention, which induces bladder stones. Bladder foreign bodies, such as catheters and sutures, can serve as the core of secondary bladder stones. In addition, bladder stones with worm eggs as the core can be seen in areas where schistosomiasis in Egypt is prevalent.

Clinical manifestations

The main symptoms are pain and hematuria. Only a few large, inactive stones in the renal pelvis without obvious obstruction or infection may be asymptomatic for a long time, or even completely lose the function of the affected kidney. The symptoms are still not obvious and are not discovered until hydronephrosis or infection occurs. The severity of the disease is related to factors such as the location, size, activity of the stone, and the presence and severity of complications. The smaller the stone, the more obvious the symptoms.

Smaller stones in the renal pelvis can cause smooth muscle spasms due to their high mobility and direct stimulation, or when stones are stuck at the junction of the renal pelvis and ureter and cause acute obstruction, renal colic occurs. Colic is followed by hematuria, and stones may gradually grow and cause chronic obstruction, resulting in hydronephrosis and pyuria. In unilateral or bilateral kidney stones, complete obstruction may occasionally occur, and acute urinary retention or even acute renal insufficiency may occur due to the renal reflex mechanism. Some patients present with anemia, gastrointestinal symptoms or urinary tract infection and seek medical treatment, which can easily lead to misdiagnosis.

Check

1. Plain X-rays of the bladder area can often show the shadow of stones.

2. Ultrasound examination can detect the acoustic shadow of stones in the bladder; cystoscopy can determine the presence of stones, the size, shape, and number of stones, and can also detect X-ray translucent negative stones and other lesions, such as cystitis, prostatic hyperplasia, bladder diverticulum, etc.

Diagnosis

A preliminary diagnosis can often be made based on typical symptoms. Attention should be paid to etiological diagnosis. Larger bladder stones can be diagnosed through rectal digital examination and B-ultrasound, which can show the sound shadow of stones. Prostatic hyperplasia and other symptoms can also be found at the same time. It is a non-invasive examination. X-ray abdominal films can show the vast majority of stones. Inserting a metal probe through the urethra can give the feeling of touching the stones, but it can only be used in adults. In children, there is a risk of damaging the urethra due to the inability to cooperate. Cystoscopy is the most reliable method for diagnosing bladder stones. Regardless of whether the stones are transparent to X-rays, they can be detected, and the specific characteristics of the stones can be found. It can also be found whether there are other lesions, such as prostatic hyperplasia, bladder diverticulum, inflammatory changes and cancer.