According to Dr. Trần Quốc Phong, Head of the Urology Unit, before hospitalization, the patient had a high fever, chills, severely low blood pressure, and was in a drowsy state. Doctors quickly diagnosed septic shock caused by a blocked ureteral stone, a surgical and medical emergency—delays of even a few tens of minutes could be life-threatening.

The patient had known about her ureteral stone for several months, but since her pain had decreased, she assumed the stone had “passed” naturally. She tried to self-manage by drinking plenty of water and taking painkillers when discomfort occurred.

However, a few days before hospitalization, she experienced severe flank pain followed by persistent high fever and chills. Her family noticed she spoke slowly, had cold extremities, and low blood pressure, and immediately took her to An Bình Hospital for emergency care.

At the emergency department, tests and imaging showed a 5 mm ureteral stone lodged in the middle third of the ureter, causing hydronephrosis (swelling of the kidney due to urine buildup). Bacteria in the stagnant urine entered the bloodstream, leading to severe sepsis, which could quickly damage multiple organs.

“The medical team immediately performed emergency urinary decompression, placing a double-J ureteral stent to drain pus and urine, along with high-dose broad-spectrum antibiotics, fluid resuscitation, and blood pressure support. Thanks to timely intervention, the patient stabilized and regained consciousness within 24 hours,” said Dr. Phong.

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Don’t underestimate ureteral stones

Dr. Phong emphasized that ureteral stones can have serious consequences if neglected. Ureteral stones are stones that move from the kidney to the ureter, which is narrow and curved, making obstruction common. When urine cannot flow, the kidney swells and becomes an ideal environment for bacterial growth. Bacteria entering the bloodstream can cause septic shock, a potentially fatal complication.

Not all ureteral stones cause severe pain. Many patients experience mild or transient pain while the kidney remains blocked. Drinking more water to “flush out the stone” can worsen the situation if the ureter is completely obstructed, increasing the risk of infection.

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Treatment options

Minimally invasive treatments now allow safe and rapid removal of ureteral stones. The most common method is ureteroscopic stone removal using rigid or flexible scopes with Holmium laser, which breaks the stone into small fragments that can be extracted without open surgery.

For emergency cases like the patient above, doctors first decompress the urinary tract using a JJ stent or percutaneous nephrostomy, and only after infection control proceed to definitive stone removal. These techniques are highly effective, minimally painful, promote rapid recovery, and preserve kidney function.

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Prevention through lifestyle changes

Prevention plays a crucial role. Ureteral stones are often linked to low water intake, high salt intake, excessive fast food, low physical activity, or family history. Drinking enough water throughout the day reduces the risk of stone formation. Reducing salt and animal protein while increasing fruits and vegetables also supports kidney health and decreases stone formation.

Dr. Phong advises that any flank pain, painful urination, blood in urine, or unexplained fever should prompt early medical examination. Abdominal ultrasound is simple, inexpensive, and effective in detecting stones and hydronephrosis. Early treatment reduces complications and maximizes kidney preservation.

People should not rely on herbal remedies or unverified tips to “flush out stones”. Proper specialist care, adherence to treatment, and regular follow-up are essential. Early-treated ureteral stones are easy to manage, but delays can lead to severe consequences.