Diseases & Conditions

Bladder stones

Bladder stones are small masses of minerals that form in your bladder. Bladder stones develop when urine in your bladder becomes concentrated, causing minerals in your urine to crystallize. Concentrated, stagnant urine is often the result of an enlarged prostate, nerve damage or recurring urinary tract infections.

Bladder stones don't always cause signs or symptoms and are sometimes discovered during tests for other problems. When symptoms do occur, they can range from abdominal pain to blood in your urine.

Small bladder stones sometimes pass on their own, but you may need to have others removed by your doctor. Left untreated, bladder stones can cause infections and other complications.

Most bladder stones should be removed. If the stone is small, your doctor may recommend that you drink an increased amount of water each day to help the stone pass. If the stone is large or doesn't pass on its own, your doctor may need to remove the stone.

Breaking stones apart
Bladder stones are often removed during a procedure called a cystolitholapaxy. A small tube with a camera at the end (cystoscope) is inserted through your urethra and into your bladder to view the stone. Your doctor then uses a laser, ultrasound or mechanical device to break the stone into small pieces and flushes the pieces from your bladder.

You'll likely have regional or general anesthesia prior to the procedure to make you comfortable. Complications from a cystolitholapaxy aren't common, but urinary tract infections, fever, a tear in your bladder and bleeding can occur. Your doctor may give you antibiotics before the procedure to reduce the risk of infections. About a month after the cystolitholapaxy, your doctor will likely check to make sure that no stone fragments remain in your bladder.

Occasionally, bladder stones that are large or too hard to fragment are removed through open surgery. In these cases, your doctor makes an incision in your bladder and directly removes the stones. Any underlying condition causing the stones, such as an enlarged prostate, may be corrected at the same time.