title: Intraoperative localisation and management of renal calculi during nephrolithotomy by real-time ultrasonography.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the role of ultrasound as a sole procedure for intraoperative localisation and management of complex renal calculi.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between September 1997 and November 2001, 16 patients underwent complex surgery for multiple, large or recurrent renal stones using the ultrasound image as a the sole intraoperative diagnostic procedure. A 8.5 MHz sector transducer with a pulse Doppler signal was used to identify the avascular area, the shortest distance between the renal surface and the stone.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Complete stone removal was achieved in all patients without complications.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Intraoperative sonography for localisation of the intrarenal arteries combined with B scan sonography for intraoperative localisation of stones allows complete removal via radial nephrotomies without peduncle clamping and cooling procedure. The advantage is the exact and quick localisation of stones avoiding X-ray.
authors.affiliation: Service of Sonography, Mauriziano Hospital, Turin, Italy.
authors.forename: Gaetano
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marino
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Gamba
authors.forename: Giorgio
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Del Noce
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pugno
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bradac
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Garberoglio
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Laudi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003199:Computer Systems; D006801:Humans; D007432:Intraoperative Period; D007669:Kidney Calculi / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009403:Nephrostomy, Percutaneous; D014463:Ultrasonography