[Percutaneous catheter dilatation of benign ureteral stenoses: indications, technic, results]

From June 1984 to December 1986 twenty-one benign ureteral stenoses were treated. After percutaneous nephropyelostomy an antegrade dilatation was performed by means of balloon catheters or increasing size of angiographic catheters. Subsequently an ureteral splinting with a F-12-catheter and a glucocorticoid therapy was followed. 13 strictures (61.9%) were treated successfully and in 3 cases (14.3%) an improvement of the obstruction and kidney function was obtained. In 5 patients (23.8%) the dilatation failed, in 2 of whom a nephrectomy was done. The failures occurred in cases with actinic and scarred-fibrotic strictures. The technical procedure, advantages and disadvantages of both dilatation methods were described. Treatment was complicated in 2 patients by the development of nephrolithiasis due to infection and in 2 further patients by acute pyelonephritis. Auxiliary measures of the dilatation therapy are a sufficient diuresis and an effective antibiotic therapy. In conclusion, the results are more dependent on the cause of stricture, than on the duration of disease and the used dilatation technique.