Here is the image of right kidney obtained from a patient with history of obstructive uropathy. Note the hyperechoic double-lined structure in the collecting system area: that’s ureteral stent.

Here is the kidney ultrasound of the same patient demonstrating moderate-severe hydronephrosis prior to stent placement.

These images give a better idea of the extent of a double-J ureteral stent. One end is in the renal collecting system and the other in the urinary bladder (or ileostomy site).

A stent is not usually traceable along its whole extent because of overlying bowel gas. In some cases, when the hydronephrosis resolves as in our patient above, it may be completely missed on quick exams. In below images, the stent can be better appreciated because of the surrounding residual hydronephrosis.

Here is the image from one of our old case reports demonstrating calcified ureteral stent and an associated urinary bladder stone in a patient who lost follow up with urology for 3 years after stent placement. Ureteral stent encrustation is often associated with a stent indwelling time of more than 12 weeks, alkaline urine, urinary tract infections, poor compliance and congenital renal anomalies.