Sunday, May 27, 2012

Table of Contents

Definition

Bladder stones are hard buildups of minerals that form in the urinary bladder.


Alternative Names

Stones - bladder; Urinary tract stones; Bladder calculi


Causes, incidence, and risk factors

Bladder stones are usually the result of another urologic problem, such as:

  • Bladder diverticulum
  • Enlarged prostate
  • Neurogenic bladder
  • Urinary tract infection

Approximately 95% of all bladder stones occur in men. Bladder stones are much less common than kidney stones.

Bladder stones may occur when urine in the bladder is concentrated and materials crystallize. Bladder stones may also result from foreign objects in the bladder.



Review Date: 06/17/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; Scott Miller, MD, Urologist in private practice in Atlanta, Georgia. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)

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