Point-of-Care Ultrasound Diagnosis of Urethral Stone in A Patient with History of Urolithiasis: A Case Report

Background: Urethral stones are a relatively rare form of urolithiasis, accounting for a small percentage of all urinary tract stones. They are more commonly found in men, often as migrant stones from the upper urinary tract or bladder. Their clinical presentation is variable, ranging from dysuria and penile pain to acute urinary retention. Point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is emerging as a valuable tool in the evaluation of suspected urethral calculi, offering a quick, radiation-free method for diagnosis. Case summary: A 45-year-old male with a history of renal stones presented with increasing difficulty micturating and penile pain. Physical examination revealed tenderness along the penile shaft. Bedside ultrasound identified a hyperechoic structure with acoustic shadowing within the penile urethra, consistent with a urethral stone. Conclusion: This case highlights an unusual presentation of urethral obstruction due to a stone in a patient with a history of renal calculi. It demonstrates the utility of point-of-care ultrasound as a rapid diagnostic modality for identifying urethral stones, potentially guiding prompt management.