Ultrasound assessment of local complications of percutaneous renal stone removal

Ultrasound evaluation of 20 consecutive patients undergoing percutaneous renal stone removal demonstrated fluid collections around the kidney to be common, occurring in 12 (60%). One was intraperitoneal, 7 were perirenal, and 4 were in the track through the posterior abdominal wall. In only 1 were related clinical complications evident. At long-term follow-up, local capsular thickening related to a surface dimple was seen at the puncture site in 66%, and fine cortical scars were visible in 33%. Apart from one slightly larger local cortical scar related to a segmental infarction, no other change related to the procedure was demonstrated.