Percutaneous retrieval of a broken Lunderquist guidewire from the pelvicalyceal system

The stiff Lunderquist guidewire may occasionally be needed during percutaneous insertion of a nephrostomy catheter, especially in patients with a large amount of subcutaneous fat or with a hard renal capsule. This wire may fracture at the junction of its stiff portion with the flexible tip. We have reported such an occurrence, in which an operative procedure was avoided by successful percutaneous retrieval of the broken wire tip, using the loop-snare technique.