Ureteral calculi secondary to a gradually migrated acupuncture needle

Abstract

We herein presented a case of calculi secondary to a migrated acupuncture needle. A 74-year-old woman with a history of acupuncture therapy for lumbago was referred to our hospital for treatment of ureteral and renal pelvic calculi. Abdominal multi-detector computed tomography scans showed ipsilateral hydronephrosis and two calculi secondary to a migrated acupuncture needle. First, a percutaneous nephrolithotomy was performed to extract two calculi and fine needle fragments from the pelvis. Subsequently, residual needle fragments and calculi in the ureter were then removed by flexible transurethral lithotripsy using a holmium laser. In the present case, the formation of the calculi was caused by a migrated acupuncture needle. Calculi and needle fragments were removed safely endoscopically because the whole calculi and needle fragments were located in the ureteral lumen.

Keywords: Acupuncture needle; Endoscopic approach; Flexible transurethral lithotripsy; Renal calculus; Ureteral calculus.