[Endoluminal ultrasonography in diagnosing and treating upper urinary tract diseases]

Endoluminal ultrasound scanning (EUS) of the upper urinary tracts (UUT) with intracavitary catheter sensor was performed in 15 patients (7 men and 8 women) aged 21 to 61 years. In 8 patients EUS was diagnostic (in one patient it was made twice, in 2 cases--in combination with ureteroscopy and biopsy), in 7 patients it was a diagnostic stage of the following surgical intervention, in 6--in combination with roentgenoendoscopic correction of strictures of the ureteropelvic segment (UPS) and in 1--in combination with transurethral pyelolithotripsy. A total of 16 procedures were made: 15 transurethral and 1--percutaneous. Endoluminal ultrasonography was conducted not only of the whole ureter but also of renal calycopelvic system (RAPS) which presented endosonographic semiotics of UUT. EUS has diagnosed urate concrement in 4 cases, "cross" vessels which narrowed UPS in 3 cases with late hydronephrotic transformation. In one patient EUS was carried out in combination with ureteroscopy and biopsy as a control examination 6 and 18 months after transurethral endoresection of ureteral tumor. In 6 patients with UPS strictures EUS was made for diagnosis of suspected cross vessels before endopyelotomy. No complications during EUS were encountered. Pilot experience with intracavitary ultrasonography of the UUT shows its high diagnostic potential and clinical value. This technique details inner structures of the ureter and RAPS with adjacent tissues due to minimal distance between the sensor and studied object.