title: Retrospective analysis of the effect of crossing vessels on successful retrograde endopyelotomy outcomes using spiral computerized tomography angiography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Using spiral computerized tomography (CT) angiography, we sought to evaluate the incidence of a crossing vessel in a group of adults with primary ureteropelvic junction obstruction who had previously undergone successful retrograde endopyelotomy.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 16 patients who had undergone successful Acucise balloon incision endopyelotomy for ureteropelvic junction obstruction, all with followup greater than 2 years, underwent a spiral CT angiogram with intravenous contrast material to identify those with a crossing vessel. Contrast enhanced CT was performed with dual phase technique on a Somatom-Plus-S CT scanner using prototype software. After 180-degree linear interpolation of the projection data, transaxial images of the affected kidney were reconstructed. In addition, at the time of the study all patients completed analog followup pain scales and quality of life assessment questionnaires.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Among the 16 patients 6 (38%) had anterior or posterior crossing vessels based on spiral CT angiography. No patient had both types. By analog pain scale patients had 80% mean improvement in pain (range 63 to 100).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In our series nearly 40% of patients with anterior or posterior crossing vessels had a long-term (greater than 2 years) successful outcome with retrograde endopyelotomy. Endopyelotomy continues to be our initial mode of therapy among adults with primary ureteropelvic junction obstruction. In our opinion the adverse influence of the crossing vessel is not sufficient to justify the added expense of preoperative angiography, spinal CT or endoluminal ultrasound.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA.
authors.forename: S Y
authors.initials: SY
authors.lastname: Nakada
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Brink
authors.forename: S P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Quillen
authors.forename: R B
authors.initials: RB
authors.lastname: Nadler
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Gaines
authors.forename: R V
authors.initials: RV
authors.lastname: Clayman
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000792:Angiography; D006801:Humans; D007670:Kidney Calices / Q000601:surgery; D011788:Quality of Life; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012082:Renal Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014513:Ureter / Q000601:surgery; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery