title: Fluoroscopically guided retrograde replacement of ureteral stents.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We assessed the feasibility of fluoroscopically guided transurethral replacement of ureteral stents as an alternative to cystoscopy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Over the last year, we replaced 27 double-J ureteral stents in 20 patients (10 men and 10 women; mean age 67.7 years, range 43-83); 15/20 patients had a native kidney, 3/20 had a transplanted kidney and 2/20 had a ureteroileal conduit. The procedures were performed in the angiography suite with the patient under sedation. All stents were grasped with a gooseneck snare under fluoroscopic control, and the distal end was withdrawn just outside the urethra; then a wire was advanced through the stent lumen and positioned in the renal pelvis. The stent was then removed and replaced with a new double-J stent.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The procedures were successful in 26/27 cases. We observed 7 cases of mild haematuria that resolved spontaneously. During follow-up (1-16 months, mean 6.7), stent obstruction occurred in 4 cases, requiring an additional retrograde replacement.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transurethral fluoroscopically guided retrograde replacement of dysfunctioning ureteral stents is an effective and safe alternative to cystoscopy.
authors: Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Department of Radiology, University of Insubria, Viale Borri 57, Varese, Italy. gcarraf@tin.it
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Carrafiello
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Laganà
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Mangini
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Recaldini
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Dizonno
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Giorgianni
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Lumia
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Taborelli
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Cuffari
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Fugazzola
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015641:Radiography, Interventional; D015607:Stents; D014513:Ureter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014517:Ureteral Obstruction / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000628:therapy