Percutaneous dilation of ureteral strictures in renal transplant patients

Percutaneous dilation of benign ureteral strictures was performed as an alternative to surgical therapy in 14 patients with renal transplants. Dilations were performed with balloon catheters in 13 patients and with a tapered angiographic catheter in one patient. Eleven strictures were successfully dilated (79%). There were three recurrences (21%). Follow-up in nine of the 11 successful cases ranged from 12 to 61 months (mean, 29 months; median, 24 months). There were no complications directly related to balloon dilation. The high success rate in this series may be related to the early diagnosis of strictures in these closely followed patients.