Tubular foreign body or stent: safe retrieval or repositioning using the coaxial snare technique.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the utility and advantages of the coaxial snare technique in the retrieval of tubular foreign bodies.


METHODS
Using the coaxial snare technique, we attempted to retrieve tubular foreign bodies present in seven patients. The bodies were either stents which were malpositioned or had migrated from their correct position in the vascular system (n=2), a fragmented venous introducer sheath (n=1), fragmented drainage catheters in the biliary tree (n=2), or fractured external drainage catheters in the urinary tract (n=2). After passing a guidewire and/or a dilator through the lumina of these foreign bodies, we introduced a loop snare over the guidewire or dilator, thus capturing and retrieving them.


RESULTS
In all cases, it was possible to retrieve or reposition the various items, using a minimum-sized introducer sheath or a tract. No folding was involved. In no case were surgical procedures required, and no complications were encountered.


CONCLUSIONS
The coaxial snare technique, an application of the loop snare technique, is a useful and safe method for the retrieval of tubular foreign bodies, and one which involves minimal injury to the patient.
Seong
Chang Kyu
CK
Department of Radiology, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
Kim
Yong Joo
YJ
Chung
Jin Wook
JW
Kim
Seung Hyup
SH
Han
Joon Koo
JK
Kim
Hyun Beom
HB
Park
Jae Hyung
JH
D000328:Adult; D002408:Catheters, Indwelling; D004322:Drainage / Q000295:instrumentation; D005547:Foreign Bodies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D005548:Foreign-Body Migration; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D015607:Stents