Percutaneous transrenal balloon dilatation of the ureter

Six strictures of the ureter were dilated with balloon angioplasty catheters. Two obstructed ureterovesical junctions in transplant patients were successfully treated. One obstructed ureteropelvic junction in a transplant kidney with a redundant ureter failed to respond. One of 2 uretero-ileostomy junction strictures was successfully treated, though one mid-ureteral stricture remained unchanged. Multiple dilatations were necessary in several patients. No significant complications were noted. Pre- and post-dilatation assessment of obstruction using the Whitaker test was helpful in transplant patients.