Balloon dilatation and insertion of temporary coated stents using a retrograde approach in patients with irreversible strictures of the distal ureter

Purpose Irreversible obstruction of urine flow due to stricture of the distal ureter is one of the most frequent reasons for uroradiological intervention. Using new technologies and with appropriate stents applied at the right time, it is possible to release the stricture and avoid external drainage of urine. Materials and methods Our case series consists of six patients (four women, two men) initially treated by percutaneous nephrostomy due to ureteral stricture. The authors used a combined approach (both percutaneous and retrograde) because the balloon catheter could not be inserted using only one approach owing to the morphology of the stricture. The metal guidewire was inserted through a residual tract after previous nephrostomy, and the balloon catheter and a stent were introduced using a retrograde approach through the urinary bladder (four cases) or through an ileostomy positioned at the anterior abdominal wall. In five of the six cases, coated temporary ureteral stents were used. Results In all six cases the therapeutic aim was achieved. Urine flow through the strictures was established, and the need for percutaneous nephrostomy was obviated. Neither early nor late complications (11 months after the procedure and 6 months after stent removal) associated with the procedure were recorded. Conclusion In patients with subtotal stricture of the distal ureter, which permits passage only of a hydrophyl guidewire, a combined percutaneous retrograde approach can achieve sustainable flow of urine through the stricture using a balloon catheter and coated stents.