Use of helical CT in assessment of crossing vessels in pelviureteric junction obstruction.

AIM: The purpose of this study is to confirm the accuracy of non-invasive helical computed tomography (CT) with multiplanar reformatting in the diagnosis of crossing vessels in patients with pelviureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Nineteen patients with confirmed PUJ obstruction underwent CT of the renal area with intravenous contrast medium. Patients shown to have crossing vessels had to undergo a pyeloplasty by open surgery or laparoscopy. Patients with no vessels could have their PUJ obstruction safely treated with less invasive techniques such as balloon dilatation.

RESULTS

Fourteen patients were shown to have crossing vessels. Of these, 10 had their relationship to the PUJ confirmed at a subsequent laparotomy. Of the remaining four patients, one was lost to follow-up and two were unwell due to unrelated disease. The other patient had already had a vessel moved at a previous laparotomy. Of the five patients without obstructing vessels, two were confirmed not to have a related vessel at laparotomy, one has undergone balloon dilatation and the other two were lost to follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Helical CT is an accurate and non-invasive method of demonstrating crossing vessels in PUJ obstruction. Diagnosis of these vessels has a major role in the choice of therapeutic treatment.