Bladder Stones

Excerpt

Bladder stones are solid calculi that are primarily found in the urinary bladder. While often calcified, they may also be composed of non-calcific material. The incidence of bladder stones in Western countries is relatively low as they tend to be found more often in developing countries due primarily to dietary factors. The areas most affected are countries in the Middle East and North Africa as well as Thailand, Indonesia, and Myanmar. Bladder stones usually occur due to urinary stasis as in benign prostatic hyperplasia or neurogenic bladder but can also form in healthy individuals without anatomic defects, foreign bodies, strictures, or infections. The presence of upper urinary tract calculi does not necessarily predispose to the formation of bladder stones. Bladder stones result in specific symptoms and are a significant source of discomfort.