Korean J Urol.
2004 Mar;45(3):250-254.
Direct Ureteric Length Measurement Using Intravenous Pyelography
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Urology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Abstract
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PURPOSE: The ureteric length is the most important factor in determining the ideal length of a ureteral stent. In most literature, the ureteric length has been estimated according to the patient height. The ureteric length and reliability of the patient's height were both investigated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The actual ureteral trace(AUT) and linear distance(LD) from the ureterorenal junction to the ureterovesical junction were measured on the 15 minute intravenous pyelography(IVP) view. A total of 203 patients(100 men, 103 women and 406 ureters), with normal findings, were studied. The AUT, LD and height were all measured.
RESULTS
The mean+/-SD height and AUT of the right and left ureters of the patients were 164.3+/-8.3, 23.4+/-1.9 and 24.4+/-2.0cm, respectively. Mean LD of right and left ureters were 22.1+/-1.9 and 22.9+/-2.0cm, respectively. The patient's height showed significant correlations with both the AUT and LD, but these correlations were not linear (R2=0.024 [Rt], 0.059 [Lt]). However, the AUT and LD had a linear correlation (R2=0.879 [Rt], 0.884 [Lt]). Two formulae for estimating the AUT from measurement of the LD were suggested: Right AUT=0.94xright LD+2.6. Left AUT=0.96xleft LD+2.4.
CONCLUSIONS
Our results have demonstrated that a patient's height was not reliable for estimating the ureteric length. The LD on IVP is preferable to the patient's height in estimating the ureteric length.
