Effect of balloon dilatation in ureteral stricture

Ha, Tae Jun; Lee, Eun Sik; Kim, Si Whang; Kim, Seung Hyup; Park, Jae Hyung

Abstract

The recent advances in interventional radiology have made balloon catheter dilation the alternative treatment modality for ureteral stricture. However, it has not been widely accepted despite proven success in some case reports. Herein we analyzed the effect of antegrade balloon dilation on the 19 patients with various ureteral strictures. Twelve iatrogenic, 4 tuberculosis, 1 retroperitoneal fibrosis, 1 primary UPJ obstruction and 1 patient with unknown cause were included. The mean follow up period was 18.5 months. Symptomatic and radiologic success rate, factors influencing the outcome such as etiology. duration, length and site of stricture were evaluated. The overall success rates were 68% symptomatically and 63% radiologically. The success rate was not different between iatrogenic and non-iatrogenic strictures significantly. Most favorable results were obtained in the patients with tuberculosis and postsurgical strictures of less than 6 months in duration. Significant complications were not observed in all patients. Conclusively, balloon catheter dilation seems to be effective alternatives in the treatment of ureteral strictures of various etiology without severe complication. To improve the success rate, more experiences, development of equipment and method, and establishment of indications should be necessary.