Memokath metallic stent in the treatment of transplant kidney ureter stenosis or occlusion.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the efficacy of the Memokath 051 stent (Engineers and Doctors, Hornbaek, Denmark) in the treatment of recurrent ureteral stenosis or occlusion in transplant kidneys.


METHODS
From October 1985 through January 2004, 1,131 renal transplantations were performed at our center. Four patients who developed recurrent renal transplant ureter obstruction had nephrostomy catheters placed. Antegrade pyelography showed ureteral stenosis in three cases and complete occlusion in one patient. In each case, a Memokath 051 stent was inserted via an antegrade approach. Mean follow-up was 20 months (range 18-21 months). Creatinine levels were measured and ultrasonography was performed during follow-up.


RESULTS
All stent procedures were technically successful. During follow-up, one stent migrated within 10 days after stent insertion and was removed cystoscopically. Another stent had to be removed in the 14th month due to resistant infection, and was replaced with a new Memokath 051 stent which remained patent for another 8 months. The other two stents were fully patent at the 18th and 21st month of follow-up, respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
Placement of a Memokath 051 stent appears to be a promising treatment alternative to balloon dilation, double-J stents and open surgical intervention for ureteral stenosis or occlusion in kidney transplant recipients. Further study of larger series is necessary.
Boyvat
Fatih
F
Department of Radiology, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey. fboyvat@baskent-ank.edu.tr
Aytekin
Cuneyt
C
Colak
Turan
T
Firat
Ali
A
Karakayali
Hamdi
H
Haberal
Mehmet
M
D000328:Adult; D001806:Blood Urea Nitrogen; D003251:Constriction, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy; D003404:Creatinine / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009403:Nephrostomy, Percutaneous / Q000295:instrumentation; D011474:Prosthesis Design; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D012008:Recurrence; D015607:Stents; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000628:therapy*
D003404:Creatinine