Efficacy of contrast-enhanced percutaneous nephrosonography to evaluate urinary tract patency in children.

A novel method known as contrast-enhanced percutaneous nephrosonography (cePNS), using an ultrasound contrast agent administered through the nephrostomy catheter, has been used to evaluate the urinary tract patency in children. Nine cePNS examinations were performed in seven children to evaluate the urinary tract patency prior to further management. The cePNS results were compared with the clinical evaluation of patent urinary tract cases or with surgery results. Both, the technical success rate and accuracy of cePNS examinations were 100%. CePNS is a radiation-free method and can be performed as a continuation of an ultrasound examination.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous endovascular treatment of arteriovenous fistula/graft.

BACKGROUND: Ultrasound-guided percutaneous endovascular treatment of arteriovenous fistula (AVF) or graft failure is an alternative to radiologically-guided angioplastic methods. Its main advantages are that it can be used with open or percutaneous access, using no contrast media and no radiation. The aim of this study was to analyze the results of ultrasound-guided endovascular treatment of arteriovenous access failure. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Preoperative ultrasound was used to determine the degree of stenosis and the size of balloon used in angioplasty. Angioplasty was performed as open procedure or by using a 4 - 6 French percutaneous sheath. Indications for angioplasty were significant stenosis of native vein or polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) graft with or without AVF thrombosis. Stenosis was considered significant if it narrowed the lumen of AVF for more than 50% and changed the shape of the flow curve. Balloon inflation was controlled by ultrasound. Procedural success was assessed with repeated postprocedural ultrasound. RESULTS: In the period from August 2012 until August 2016, 228 ultrasound-guided open or percutaneous transluminal angioplasties (PTA) were performed (61% men, mean age 66.6 ± 12.0 years), success rate was 93%. In 19 (8%) cases, ultrasound-guided PTA was used in conjunction with surgical reconstruction of arteriovenous fistula/graft and in 27 (12%) cases with thromboendarterectomy. Main complications were recoil, phlebitic vein rupture, and guidewire false route in thrombotic vessels. The main cause of access failure was perianastomotic stenosis (25%). 46% of patients required repeated PTA after the first one (after a mean time of 20.8 ± 22.8 weeks, mean number of repeated PTA 2.1 ± 1.7). Repeated PTA was done intentionally as stepped dilatation or because of rethrombosis/restenosis. Ultrasound-guided stent placement was done in 8% of PTA. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound-guided endovascular treatment of arteriovenous fistula or graft is a feasible and safe method of reestablishing or maintaining a functional vascular access.
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Hybrid haemodialysis vascular access salvage.

A well-functioning vascular access is essential for successful haemodialysis in patients with end-stage kidney failure. Sometimes, when we have exploited all conventional ways of vascular access salvage, we have to find a unique solution to preserve it.

Catheter-free methods for vesicoureteric reflux detection: our experience and a critical appraisal of existing data.

In recent years, the exact role of vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) in general has become controversial, though in some groups of children the knowledge of the existence or non-existence of VUR is still a very important issue. The number of techniques available for the assessment of VUR is increasing, and a new classification taking into account their real characteristics (direct/indirect, catheter-using/catheter-free, radiation-giving/radiation-free) has been proposed. The purpose of the following review is to evaluate the currently available evidence supporting the use of various catheter-free methods for VUR detection. We believe that as the clinical role of VUR has been questioned, it is even more important for the method of its detection to be user-friendly as regards catheterisation, radiation and availability. There is still no evidence supporting the assertion that any of the catheter-free methods of VUR detection might be the optimal one for any child. However, there are some groups of children who would benefit from using them. New studies using new, catheter-free methods of VUR detection or a combination of two or more of the methods described may prove useful in improving sensitivity and providing additional data on this important issue.

Percutaneous Nephrostomy in the Neonatal Period: Indications, Complications, and Outcome-A Single Centre Experience.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the indications, technique for percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) insertion, the complications related to PCN, duration of PCN, and outcome following PCN removal regarding the kidney function. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Medical charts of 31 neonates (22 boys and 9 girls, mean age 13.9 days) treated with 43 PCN were reviewed. Collected data included indications for PCN, PCN complications, duration of PCN, and outcome of these patients by analysing the kidney function. RESULTS: The indications for PCN insertion were obstructive urinary tract dilation in 24 neonates (four with associated infection), and non-obstructive urinary tract dilation with urosepsis or pyonephrosis in seven cases. Primary technical success of PCN placement using Seldinger technique was 97.7%. The following complications were reported: self-limited post-procedural bleeding into the pelvicalyceal system in two, chronic microscopic haematuria in five, and clinically manifested urinary tract infection in five children. Four PCN were dislocated. Cellulitis was present at the skin entry of 5 PCN, urinary leak in 5 PCN, and mechanical damage of 5 PCN. Eight PCN had to be replaced. Mean duration of PCN was 5 months. Kidney insufficiency was detected in 5/29 children with the mean follow-up of 3.9 years. CONCLUSIONS: PCN is a safe, effective transient solution in neonates with pyonephrosis or when surgery of obstructed urinary system has to be postponed. The rate of minor complications increased with PCN duration. If kidney insufficiency is present after PCN removal, it is related to the complexity of kidney anomalies.

Resolution of Budd-Chiari syndrome due to activation of endogenous fibrinolysis that may be induced by weight reduction.

We describe a 45-year-old female with polycythemia vera and Leiden factor V mutation, who suffered the subacute form of Budd-Chiari syndrome and was treated with anticoagulants and diuretics. Surprisingly, after 3 months clinical signs of Budd-Chiari syndrome resolved; venography disclosed the resolution of thrombosis in the vena cava inferior and hepatic veins. This was associated with considerable increase of endogenous fibrinolytic activity, documented by a substantial change in the euglobulin clot lysis time, and a decrease of plasminogen activator inhibitor antigen and activity. During the disease the patient followed a diet and significantly reduced her body weight. Putting all data together it could be speculated that weight reduction (along with anticoagulants) considerably activated endogenous fibrinolysis, resulting in spontaneous resolution of Budd-Chiari syndrome. The validity of this explanation should be explored in a larger clinical study.

Percutaneous insertion of double-J ureteral stent in children with ureteral obstruction: our experiences.

OBJECTIVE: Ureteral obstruction (UO) is usually treated by surgical or endoscopic approaches. We investigated whether percutaneous anterograde treatment with insertion of double-J ureteral stent (DJ) is a feasible alternative technique for the management of UO in selected cases, where traditional approaches are not possible or too risky. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The DJ was percutaneously inserted into 10 children (mean age 9 years) who suffered from UO. Three children had already been treated surgically for complex urotract congenital anomalies; six children had restenosis/reocclusion or stenosis of ureteropelvic junction; and one girl suffered migration of an intraoperatively placed DJ with stenosis of the distal ureter. RESULTS: Percutaneous insertion of the DJ was successful on the first attempt in 8 and on the second in 2 children. Adverse events after the procedure, all successfully treated, included one pyelonephritis and one migration of DJ, and 3 children had bacteriuria and 3 hematuria. Mean duration of insertion of the DJ was 6.4 months. After removal of the DJ, 7 children did not need any further interventions, but 2 children needed surgical correction and 1 reinsertion of the DJ. CONCLUSION: In selected cases, percutanous insertion of a DJ should be considered as an alternative to surgery or endoscopic treatment in the management of children with UO.

Ureteric jet Doppler waveform: is it a reliable predictor of vesicoureteric reflux in children?

The purpose of our prospective study was to find out whether ureteric jet Doppler waveform (UJDW) could be a reliable predictor of vesicoureteral reflux (VUR) in children, compared with echo-enhanced voiding ultrasonography (VUS). Echo-enhanced VUS was performed in 75 children, 57 girls and 18 boys, aged 3 years to 12 years, following the accepted indications for this procedure. During the same procedure the measurement of UJDW was also performed and was considered to be successful (in 70 children) when at least ten UJDWs were recorded per ureteric unit. Depending on the shape of the UJDWs, the sequences were classified into three groups: monophasic, suggestive of VUR; complex, not suggestive of VUR; and mixed sequence, suggestive of VUR when a certain ratio between monophasic and complex UJDWs was achieved. When all three sequences were taken into account, the overall sensitivity and specificity of this method in detecting VUR were 88.5% and 82.3%, respectively. These values seem high enough for this method to be considered as a good alternative to invasive micturating cystographies in screening children for VUR.