title: Fluoroscopically guided transurethral removal and/or replacement of ureteric stents in women.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Traditionally double J ureteric stents have been removed and replaced via cystoscopy. Fluoroscopically guided procedures for the removal/replacement of stents using endovascular snare devices have previously been described as a successful alternative.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the technical and clinical success of fluoroscopically guided transurethral removal and/or replacement of ureteric stents in women. To assess radiation dose and screening time associated with this approach.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 31-month retrospective review of all ureteric stent removals and/or replacements under fluoroscopic guidance performed in a university hospital radiology department.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and fourteen procedures were performed in 83 patients. Thirty ureteric stents were removed and 84 ureteric stents were replaced. The majority of patients required stents for urinary tract obstruction secondary to malignancy (78.3%). Overall technical and clinical success rates (defined respectively as satisfactory removal/replacement and drainage of the collecting system) of 98.2% were attained. Mean screening time was 13.9 min (range, 1.0-67.6 min). Effective radiation dose was in the range of 0.69-132 mSv with a mean of 11.18 mSv equating to the dose of a contrast-enhanced computed tomography abdomen/pelvis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Transurethral ureteric stent removal and replacement under fluoroscopic guidance is highly successful, well tolerated by patients with acceptable radiation exposure, and can obviate the need for cystoscopic retrieval.
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, St James's Hospital and Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Eoghan
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: McCarthy
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, St James's Hospital and Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland jokavana@tcd.ie.
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kavanagh
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, St James's Hospital and Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Sean
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McKernan
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, St James's Hospital and Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Niamh
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: O'Mahony
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, St James's Hospital and Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Niall
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: McEniff
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, St James's Hospital and Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: J Mark
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Ryan
authors.affiliation: Department of Interventional Radiology, St James's Hospital and Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Guiney
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020878:Device Removal / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D005471:Fluoroscopy / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015641:Radiography, Interventional / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015607:Stents; D014513:Ureter / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Antegrade ureteric stent; endovascular snare device; fluoroscopy