Expert: MARK A. HOWELL - 5/3/2011

Question
I am in the Navy Reserve, I have been in the Navy Reserve for over 12 years. I am a PO2 with a secret security clearance.
A year ago, April 23rd, 2010 I went to the hospital because of a Kidney stone, my first one in 43 years. While there, they performed an ultra sound and then later a CT scan. When they did the ultra sound, the individual who did it, stated I had a Horseshoe Kidney. "I never knew I had this!" Well, I passed the kidney stone without any complications. It has been over a year and I have not had any further issues. Later I found out that I did not have a Horseshoe Kidney, what I have is a "Crossed Fused Ectopia." Which, from my research is different from a Horseshoe Kidney. In February, I received orders for Mobilization to Afghanistan, but was removed from the MOB because of the Kidney Stone I had the year prior. My question is, is this issue with the Crossed Fused Ectopia something that will end my career in the Navy? I found during my research, a Horseshoe Kidney is grounds for not being able to enlist in the Military, but the Crossed fused Ectopia is not listed as being a disqualifying issue.  I have been in for 12+ years and I never knew I had the issue with my kidney, the Crossed Fused Ectopia. All of the doctors I have seen stated they do not see any issues and I should be good to go with no medical restrictions, and one of my doctors is a retired Navy Doctor.
Again, I am 44 years old and I have never had any issues with my kidney except the one kidney stone a year ago. I have never had any issues medically other than a broken leg once when I was 10 years old. I have been in the Navy Reserve for 12+ years and I deployed to Kuwait in 2006 to 2007... no issues.

Answer
Duane,
The old saying is true.  "Once a stone-maker, always a stone-maker.  I'm glad to hear you passed it OK.  I speak from experience, I've passed 17 and I have one in me as we speak.  At first, I had one every year, then as I got older it slowed down some.  The special diets, etc. don't do a bit of good.

I can see why they originally though of a horseshoe kidney.  Ultrasound is a poor means of seeing it well.  It takes an X-Ray or CT Scan to really see it.

Stones don't always pass, that's why the military doesn't like them.  They never know how much you're going to cost them.  I had a major who worked for me that had a stone that reversed course and went back into his kidney.  They had to cut it out.

Having STONES will prevent you from deploying, not your kidneys.  There's often not care readily available.

Your Crossed fused Ectopia is not a grounds for discharge.  But now that you've begun having stones, yours can be worse than the average person.  As you said, you never knew you had it and it will probably never be a problem.

Thanks for your service, and I wish you well with your stones.
Colonel H