Percutaneous retrieval of the malfunctioning ureteral stent: a report of two cases.

Ureteral stents have been widely used by urologists and interventional radiologists in the management of ureteral strictures, leaks or fistulas and in conjunction with extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy of large renal calculi. In the long-term use, migrations, encrustations, or even stones formation may occur which make the stents malfunction. When cystoscopical or surgical removal of the malfunctioning stents is not successfully done, percutaneous retrieval can be the choice of treatment. We present two cases of percutaneous retrieval of the malfunctioning ureteral stent.