A Case of Pure Matrix Ureteral Stone: A rare type of urinary calculi that may be overlooked

Abstract

Matrix stones are a rare form of urinary calculi with a low mineral content. We report a 63-year-old female patient who presented to the Sohar Hospital, Sohar, Oman, in 2018 with unexplained left flank pain and constipation. She had a history of chronic renal failure (CRF) and had previously undergone haemodialysis (HD). Non-contrast computed tomography (CT) did not show any renal or urinary stones. However, a left-sided ureteroscopy revealed a yellow-coloured stone that was soft in consistency occupying the proximal 5 cm section of the ureter. Many attempts at forceps extraction were required for complete clearance. A global quantitative composition analysis revealed the extracted stone to be composed entirely of protein-matrix material. Matrix stones require a high index of suspicion as they are sometimes radiolucent and cannot be visualised on CT scans. Risk factors include being female and a history of urinary tract infections, CRF and HD. Keywords: Urolithiasis; Ureteral Calculi; Diagnostic Imaging; Ureteroscopy; Case Report; Oman.