Fluoroscopically Guided Ureteral Catheterization: Preliminary Experience

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of fluoroscopically guided ureteral catheterization without cystoscopicassistance. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We evaluated seven patients(male:female=2:5) who were candidates forpercutaneous nephrostomy and noted the presence of ureteral strictures caused by metastasis from malignanttumors(n=5), tuberculosis(n=1) and previous ureterolithotomy(n=1). In six patients, retrograde catheterization ofthe ureter under cystoscopic guidance was failed. Ureter selection was performed with a guide wire and ureteralstent after bladder distension using contrast media which visualized the interureteric ridge. RESULTS: Retrogradecatheterization of the ureter was successful in five patients and failed in two. Ureteral stent insertion wasperformed in three of the five patients, and removal of migrated ureteral stent and insertion of new ureteralstent was performed in two. The mean total procedure time was 35 minutes. Ureteral catheterization failed in twomale patients, who underwent percutaneous nephrostomy. An old blood clot was seen in one patient during theprocedure, but no complications ensued. CONCLUSION: Fluoroscopically guided ureteral catheterization withoutcystoscopic assistance is thought to be a useful procedure for the insertion of a ureteral stent in femalepatients.