Cystic calculus in a mare due to a misplaced uterine glass marble

Abstract

A 9-year-old Quarter Horse mare was referred for evaluation of continuous oestrus, polyuria and suspected pyometra after a glass marble was placed in the uterus by the owner. Palpation per rectum and transrectal ultrasonography confirmed the presence of a spherical object, but it was not possible to discern whether it was located within the lumen of the uterus or urinary bladder. Thus, an endoscopic examination of both uterus and bladder was carried out and a spherical, spiculated surface urolith was found on the floor of the bladder. The cystic urolith with suspected marble core was removed using a 12-mm specimen retrieval bag with endoscopic guidance. Follow-up with the owner one month after discharge revealed that the mare had not shown any signs of discomfort while urinating nor signs of oestrus.

Intravesical foreign body causing a cystolith in a gelding

“…In the veterinary literature, urocystolith formation has been described as a complication of a foreign body in the urinary bladder, similar to our case (Andre & Jackson, 1972; Butty et al, 2019; Cherbinsky et al, 2010; Orozco et al, 2022), but an intravesical foreign body does not invariably induce calculus formation (Andre & Jackson, 1972; Denny, 1972; Hamlen, 1993; Zanotti et al, 1989).…”

“…Foreign bodies in the urinary bladder have rarely been reported in the veterinary literature and different routes of entry have been described. They have been reported to arise iatrogenically (Butty et al, 2019; Orozco et al, 2022; Textor et al, 2005), from penetrating gunshots (Andre & Jackson, 1972), from unknown origin (Hamlen, 1993), and from migration from the gastrointestinal tract, the urogenital tract or the skin (Cherbinsky et al, 2010; Houston & Eaglesome, 1999; Wyatt et al, 1999; Zanotti et al, 1989). To our knowledge, only two short communications have been published on cystolithiasis secondary to an intravesical foreign body: a string from a feed sack used after castration in a gelding (Textor et al, 2005) and a misplaced uterine glass marble in a mare (Orozco et al, 2022).…”

“…The presence of a foreign body in the bladder has been rarely published in the veterinary literature including three equine cases (Hamlen, 1993; Orozco et al, 2022; Textor et al, 2005). On the contrary, foreign bodies in the human urinary bladder have been largely reported (Mannan et al, 2011; Van Ophoven & DeKernion, 2000).…”