The value of intra-cavitary contrast enhanced ultrasound in percutanous nephrolithotomy for nephrolithiasis patients with slight or no hydronephrosis / 中华泌尿外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of intra-cavity contrast enhanced ultrasound (ICCE-US) in percutanous nephrolithotomy for nephrolithiasis patients with slight or no hydronephrosis.Methods From March 2016 to March 2017,ICCE-US-guided PCNL was performed in 35,patients who had kidney stones with slight hydronephrosis in 11 and without hydronephrosis in 24.The sample comprised 20 males and 15 females,including 10 with renal pelvic calculi alone,17 with renal pelvic calculi combined with renal calyx calculi,and 8 with partial staghorn calculi.Mean age was 46.8 years (ranging,28-75 years).The size of calculi ranged from 2.5 cm to 5.0 cm [mean(3.6 ± 1.2) cm].In the prone position,the preferred calyces are the posterior ones,which were enhanced by sulfur hexafluoride microbubbles (SonoVue) retrogradely injected through ureteral catheter.An 18-gauge needle was inserted toward the desirable calyx.Successful renal entry was confirmed by administration of ultrasound contrast agents into the collecting system via the needle regardless of whether spontaneous urine drainage was observed.A guidewire was passed through the needle to renal collecting system.Subsequently,the needle was removed.And the renal tract was dilated to F18-F20 size with dilators.Finally,holmium laser lithotripsy was performed through nephroscopy.Results Posterior calyces and its fornix were revealed under contrast-enhanced ultrasound in all patients.The successive access rate was 100％.The average time for establishing the access was (8 ±2.6)min (ranging 5-10 min).The mean number of needle passes was (1.5 ± 0.3) times per kidney,ranged from 1 to 3 times.Hemoglobin level averagely reduced (11.3 ± 3.7) g/ L (ranging 6-15 g/L) within 24 hours postoperatively.No major complications,such as adjacent organs injuries or collecting system perforation were observed.No blood transfusion was needed.The mean hospital stay was (5.6 ± 1.2) days (ranging 5-7 days).The stone-free rate was 91.4％ (32/35).Conclusions ICCE-US can demonstrate clearly about the posterior calyces and its fornix as well as puncture needle site by contrast enhancement in the nephrolithiasis patients with slight or no hydronephrosis.It has the potential to improve the accuracy and successive rate of puncture resulting in a decrease in the puncture-related complications.