Bladder Stones

Excerpt

Bladder stones are solid calculi primarily found in the urinary bladder. Although bladder stones are often calcified, they may also consist of non-calcific material (see Image. A Bladder Calculus). The incidence of bladder stones is relatively low in Western countries but higher in developing countries, primarily due to dietary factors. The regions most affected include countries in the Middle East, North Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, and Myanmar. Please see StatPearls' companion resource, "Ultrasound of the Urinary Tract," for more information.

Bladder stones account for about 5% of all urinary stones and usually occur due to urinary stasis, as seen in conditions such as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) or neurogenic bladder. However, they can also form in healthy individuals without anatomical defects, foreign bodies, strictures, or infections. The presence of upper urinary tract calculi does not necessarily increase the risk of bladder stone formation. Bladder stones cause specific symptoms and are a significant source of patient discomfort.