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[Ureteral stenosis and pneumatic dilatation]
J Martí Malet1, H Lopez Llauradó, F Izquierdo de la Torre
1Servicio de Radiodiagnóstico, Fundació Puigvert, C/Cartagena 340-350 08025 Barcelona, España.
Objective:
To determine the efficacy of balloon dilatation in the treatment of ureteral strictures and analyze the outcome according to its etiology.
Methods:
77 ureteral dilatations were performed in 74 patients. Most of the strictures were postoperative sequelae and the other cases were due to chronic inflammatory conditions.
Results:
The overall success rate was 47%, partial improvement was achieved in 17% and the failure rate was 36%. In our series, the postoperative strictures responded slightly better to balloon dilatation than those arising from chronic inflammatory conditions.
Conclusion:
Endourologic techniques based on the percutaneous methods of interventional radiology have reduced the usage of invasive conventional surgery in the treatment of strictures. Although the proportion of unsatisfactory results is not negligible, balloon dilatation should be the first treatment option for ureteral strictures because it is less invasive, carries a low morbidity and requires a shorter hospitalization. If the results are unsatisfactory, re-dilatation can be attempted or conventional open surgery can be performed.