title: Percutaneous CT-guided nephrostomy: a safe and quick alternative method in management of obstructive and nonobstructive uropathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To present the indications, technique, complications, and contraindications for CT-guided percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) as an alternative to standard fluoroscopy-guided puncture that involves no radiation exposure for the radiologist.
  
  
  METHODS
  Between June 2000 and July 2004, 258 percutaneous CT-guided nephrostomies were performed in 215 patients in our department. Most patients (201; 93%) underwent PCN for obstructive uropathy, while 14 (7%) required the procedure as treatment for nonobstructive bladder trauma. All patients had subsequent insertion of a nephrostomy tube under CT guidance.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Percutaneous access was achieved without major complications in all patients. The most common complication was pain at the puncture site. In 50 patients (23%), the nephrostomy catheter remained in place until full decompression of the obstruction. In the 14 patients with bladder trauma, the catheter was removed after trauma repair. In 151 patients (70%), the catheter's placement was permanent.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Percutaneous CT-guided nephrostomy is a reliable, safe, fast, and highly effective method associated with a low complication rate that involves no radiation for the interventional radiologist.
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, Red Cross Hospital, Athens, Greece. loutharad@yahoo.com
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Thanos
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mylona
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Stroumpouli
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Kalioras
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pomoni
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Batakis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009403:Nephrostomy, Percutaneous / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods*; D014514:Ureteral Calculi / Q000601:surgery*; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000601:surgery*; D014570:Urologic Diseases / Q000601:surgery*