Retained Nephrostomy String Causing Severe Flank Pain and Hematuria

Retained strings related to removal of a nephrostomy tube or placement of a ureteral stent occur (1,2) but have not been reported to produce symptoms. This case report describes hematuria and flank pain in a patient with a radiographically occult retained string in the collecting system. This case emphasizes the importance of diligent retrieval of these strings at the time of catheter removal or stent placement and close surveillance if a retained string is suspected. This is particularly pertinent in light of The Joint Commission Sentinel Event Alert statement that unintended retained foreign objects should automatically trigger a sentinel event review (3).

Source: Journal of Vascular and Interventional Radiology : JVIR - August 23, 2017 Category: Radiology Authors: William A. Critchlow, Karen L. Stern, Jason J. Jameson, J. Scott Kriegshauser Tags: Special Letter Section Source Type: research