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Ureteral stents and nephrostomy tubes have been used extensively in urology. Attendant to their use are their associated morbidities, such as pain, infection, and encrustation. We review the literature on the subject of the encrusted stents and drainage catheters, discuss the risk factors for encrustation, and describe the endourologic evaluation and management of these encrusted and retained urinary drainage devices. A variety of factors contribute to the rate at which this process occurs, including the material of the stent or catheter, urine composition, and duration of use. The risk of stent encrustation is increased in patients with a history of urolithiasis and with progressively longer indwelling times. Novel stent designs incorporating antimicrobial eluting stents and stents with enzymes to degrade urinary oxalate have shown promise in vitro to minimize stent morbidity. Imaging plays a pivotal role in determining the …