In-Bore MRI-Guided Ureteral Stent Placement During Prostate Cancer Cryoablation-A Case Series

Area of Science:

• Urology
• Interventional Radiology
• Oncology

Background:

• Ureteral stents are crucial for maintaining renal function and ureteral patency.
• Recurrent and metastatic prostate cancer often requires advanced therapies like cryoablation.
• Protecting the ureters during these procedures is critical to prevent complications.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a novel application of prophylactic ureteral stents guided by MRI for ureteral protection during in-bore cryoablation therapy.
• To report the first case series of ureteral stent placement using near real-time MRI guidance.
• To evaluate the feasibility and safety of this technique.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective chart review of patients undergoing MRI-guided ureteral stent placement before cryoablation (2021-2022).
• Interdisciplinary management by urologists and interventional radiologists.
• Preoperative and postoperative data collection with physics safety testing of equipment.

Main Results:

• Seven male patients (mean age 73.4) successfully received prophylactic ureteral stents via MRI-guided cystoscopy.
• No intraoperative complications were reported.
• One patient experienced a Grade 2 postoperative complication (pyelonephritis, hematuria) after stent removal; most patients were discharged same-day.

Conclusions:

• In-bore cystoscopic MRI guidance is a feasible method for ureteral stent placement.
• Ureteral stents can improve the safety of cryoablation near the ureter.
• MRI-conditional tools, following safety protocols, can advance interventional MRI procedures.