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Malignant ureteral obstruction: treatment with metal stents--technique, results, and observations with percutaneous
E vanSonnenberg1, H B D'Agostino, R O'Laoide
1Department of Radiology, University of California San Diego Medical Center.
Purpose:
To test the technical feasibility and results of placement of metal stents into ureters obstructed by extensive tumor.
Materials And Methods:
Six consecutive patients (two men and four women, aged 35-66 years and with incurable malignancies) underwent insertion of metallic endoprostheses in nine obstructed ureters through percutaneous tracts.
Results:
Metal stents were inserted without technical difficulty in all obstructed ureters. The stents functioned well in four patients. In two patients, the metal were not tolerated and plastic double-J stents were placed through the metal stents; this permitted effective functioning and withdrawal of the protective external catheter. Intraluminal ultrasonography depicted stent clogging and debris, dimensions of stent opening, and tumor level.
Conclusion:
Insertion of metal stents in the ureter is technically straightforward and was well tolerated by patients. However, the efficacy is variable, and a greater beneficial effect than is achieved with plastic stents is not established.