Dissolution of cystine ureteral calculus by irrigation with tromethamine.

An alternative to surgical intervention in cases of symptomatic cystine calculi is presented. A large obstructing ureteral calculus in a patient who had undergone 4 prior lithotomies was dissolved during a 5-day period by irrigation via a ureteral catheter with tromethamine-E, an alkaline organic amine intravenous solution.