Transluminal balloon dilation of ureteral stricture in a child. A case report

A 12-year-old girl complained of left flank pain 4 months after the onset of symptoms of polyarthritis nodosa with hypertension, multiple neuritis and impaired renal function. Intravenous pyelography (IVP) revealed no stone. Several months later the flank pain recurred, and IVP now showed a calcified stone midway in the left ureter. Ureterolithotomy was performed, and a 3 cm long stone embedded in the mucosa was removed. Two months postoperatively IVP showed severe ureteric obstruction due to stenosis at the level of the incision. Dilation of the stricture was accomplished with a 4 mm balloon, and further dilation 2 weeks later with a 6 mm balloon. A third dilation was performed with a 4 mm balloon. At examination 3 months later the girl was free from symptoms and IVP with forced diuresis was normal, as were the findings after 6 more months. Transluminal balloon dilation of postoperative ureteral strictures in children should be considered as an alternative to surgery.