Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy to remove calcified ureteral stents.

A patient was seen with a large calcification of the renal end of a silicone catheter placed to intubate a cutaneous ureterostomy. Because of the stone, withdrawal of the catheter was impossible, and the patient presented with obstruction and dilatation of the renal cavities along with febrile bacteriuria and renal failure. Extracorporeal shock-wave lithotripsy, done under intravenous sedation, was found to be an effective noninvasive method to treat such a complication of long-term urinary drainage.