Effective Predicting Succes Factors of Retrograde Ureteral Stenting in Patients with Malignant Ureteral Obstruction

Jeong, Tae Yung; Park, Hae Young; Lee, Tchun Yong

Abstract

PURPOSE: We have endeavored to find the factors predicting the success of ureteral stenting before cystoscopic retrograde ureteral catheterization in the patients with malignant ureteral obstruction.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
38 patients(51 kidneys) were analyzed, who were treated by retrograde ureteral stenting or percutaneous nephrostomy due to ureteral obstruction in non-urologic malignancy during the past 3 years. The sorts of primary tumors were cervix cancer in 14 cases(18 kidneys), stomach cancer in 12 cases(18 kidneys), colo-rectal cancer in 7 cases(9 kidneys), ovary cancer in 4 cases(5 kidneys), and endometrial cancer in 1 case(1 kidney). The cause of the ureteral obstruction was direct tumor invasion in 26 kidneys, lymphadenopathy in 23 kidneys and post radiation therapy in 2 kidneys. Retrograde ureteral stenting had failed in 22 kidneys(ureteral orifice could not be found in 14 kidneys, guide wire could not be advanced in 8 kidneys).
RESULTS
Among the 51 kidneys, 29 kidneys(57%) were succeeded, and 22 kidneys(43%) were failed in retrograde ureteral catheterization. In fourteen of 22 kidneys(64%) ureteral orifice could not identified due to hemorrhage and edema of mucosa of bladder, and in 8 kidneys(36%) ureteral catheter could not be advanced to the renal pelvis. The cause of failure of the retrograde ureteral catheterization were direct tumor invasion in 10/26 kidneys(39%), and lymphnode enlargement in 4 of 23 kidneys(17%)(p=0.0007). According to the presence of ureteral obstructive symptoms, 8/29 kidneys(28%) were with the presence of ureteral obstruction symptoms, whereas 14/22 kidneys(64%) were failed with the absence of ureteral obstructive symptoms(p=0.0051). Of the obstruction site, 4/21 kidneys(19%) of upper to mid ureteral obstruction and 18/30 kidneys(79%) of lower ureteral obstruction were failed(p=0.0056). Of the degree of hydronephrosis, 18/47 kidneys(38%) of mild to moderate degree of hydronephrosis and 4/4 kidneys(100%) of severe hydronephrosis were failed(p=0.0022).
CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that direct tumor invasion to the ureter, asymptomatic ureteral obstruction, lower ureteral obstruction, and high grade hydronephrosis were regarded as a high failure factors for the retrograde ureteral catheterization. Thus, we should not hesitate to choose percutaneous nephrostomy, in such condition that makes difficult for retrograde ureteral catheterization in malignant ureteral obstruction patients.